-----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, WR6gc9rt2uJNSWtCNKpS46aafHGgD/Qs2q9dIzNJXBZz9RxQgfkK8kdeNE1tdfIi nTHzeu6mdCAjhCcPOjgZXg== 0000950124-96-001240.txt : 19960325 0000950124-96-001240.hdr.sgml : 19960325 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950124-96-001240 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 REFERENCES 429: 033-47583 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960322 SROS: CSX SROS: NYSE SROS: PSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KMART CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000056824 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331] IRS NUMBER: 380729500 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 0129 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-64905 FILM NUMBER: 96537272 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3100 W BIG BEAVER RD CITY: TROY STATE: MI ZIP: 48084 BUSINESS PHONE: 8106431000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3100 W BIG BEAVER ROAD CITY: TROY STATE: MI ZIP: 48084 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KRESGE S S CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19770921 S-3/A 1 S-3/A 1 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996 Registration No. 33-64905 ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 KMART CORPORATION Michigan 38-0729500 Kmart Financing I Delaware To Be Applied For Kmart Financing II Delaware To Be Applied For Kmart Financing III Delaware To Be Applied For Kmart Financing IV Delaware To Be Applied For (Exact Name of Registrant (State or Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer as Specified in Its Charter) Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 (810) 643-1000 (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices) ------------------ A. N. Palizzi, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 (810) 643-1000 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) Copy to: Verne C. Hampton, II, Esq. Peter A. Atkins, Esq. Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000 919 Third Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48226 New York, New York 10022 (313) 223-3500 (212) 735-3000
------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [x] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box: [x] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Proposed Maximum Maximum Amount of Title of Each Class of Securities Amount to be Regis- Aggregate Price Per Aggregate Registration to be Registered tered (1) Unit (2) Offering Price (1)(2) Fee Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV Debt Securities of Kmart Corporation (3) Guarantees of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV by Kmart Corporation and certain back-up undertakings (4) Preferred Stock, no par value of Kmart Corporation (3) Depositary Shares of Kmart Corporation Common Stock, $1.00 par value of Kmart Corporation (3)(5) Warrants of Kmart Corporation Total $1,150,000,000 100% $1,150,000,000 $396,551.72(6)
(1) In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in any other currency, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies. Such amount represents the aggregate offering price of the Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I, II, III, and IV and the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Equity Securities of Kmart Corporation and the exercise price of any Securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants of Kmart Corporation. Subordinated Debt Securities of Kmart Corporation may be issued and sold to Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV, in which event such Subordinated Debt Securities may later be distributed to the holders of Trust Preferred Securities. (2) Estimated for the sole purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. (3) Also includes such indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, and Common Stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for any Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares that provide for conversion or exchange into other securities and such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued upon conversion of Trust Preferred Securities. No separate consideration will be received for the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or Depositary Shares issuable upon conversion of or in exchange for such other securities. (4) No separate consideration will be received for any Guarantees. The Guarantees include the rights of holders of the Trust Preferred Securities under the Guarantees and certain back up undertakings, comprised of obligations of Kmart Corporation under the Subordinated Indenture and the Supplemental Indentures thereto and under the Declarations of Trust of each of Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV, each as described in the Registration Statement. (5) The number of shares of Common Stock registered hereunder is limited to that which is permissible under Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act. (6) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 in respect of the $1,150,000,000 of previously unregistered securities registered hereby. A filing fee of $344,827.59 was paid on December 11, 1995 in respect of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the securities registered hereby and a filing fee of $51,724.13 was paid on March 13, 1996 in respect of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the securities registered hereby. An additional filing fee of $62,500.00 was previously paid for $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of unsold securities registered under Registration Statement No. 33-47583. __________________ THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. __________________ Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement contains a combined Prospectus that also relates to $200,000,000 principal amount of the debt securities previously registered pursuant to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-47583) and not issued. This Registration Statement constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-47583) pursuant to which the total amount of unsold debt securities previously registered under Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-47583) may be offered and sold as Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants, without limitation as to class of securities, together with the securities registered hereunder, through the use of the combined Prospectus included herein. In the event any such previously registered debt securities are offered prior to the effective date of this Registration Statement, they will not be included in any Prospectus hereunder. 2 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 22, 1996 PROSPECTUS __________________ KMART CORPORATION DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS __________________ KMART FINANCING I KMART FINANCING II KMART FINANCING III KMART FINANCING IV Trust Preferred Securities Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by KMART CORPORATION __________________ Kmart Corporation (the "Company") may offer from time to time, together or separately, (i) its debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), which may be either senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities"), consisting of notes, debentures or other secured or unsecured evidences of indebtedness in one or more series, (ii) shares of its preferred stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Shares"), (iii) shares of its common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), and (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, or Common Stock or any combination thereof, as shall be designated by the Company at the time of the offering (the "Warrants") in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. Kmart Financing I, Kmart Financing II, Kmart Financing III and Kmart Financing IV (each, a "Kmart Trust"), each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from time to time, preferred securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the respective Kmart Trust ("Trust Preferred Securities"). The payment of periodic cash distributions ("distributions") with respect to Trust Preferred Securities of each of the Kmart Trusts out of moneys held by each of the Kmart Trusts, and payment on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Trust Preferred Securities, will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each a "Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee"). See "Description of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees." The Company's obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company and rank pari passu with the most senior preferred stock, if any, issued from time to time by the Company. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold from time to time in one or more series to a Kmart Trust, or a trustee of such Kmart Trust, in connection with the investment of the proceeds from the offering of Trust Preferred Securities and Trust Common Securities (as defined herein, together the "Trust Securities") of such Kmart Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a Kmart Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Trust Preferred Securities and Trust Common Securities in connection with the dissolution of such Kmart Trust upon the occurrence of certain events as may be described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees, when taken together with the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Indenture related thereto and the Declaration of Trust, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Kmart Trusts (other than with respect to the Trust Securities), will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the Trust Preferred Securities. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Warrants and the Trust Preferred Securities and the related Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees are collectively called the "Securities." The Securities may be offered as separate series or issuances at an aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $1,350,000,000 ($1,150,000,000 in the case of the Trust Preferred Securities) or, if applicable, the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, currency units, composite currencies or in amounts determined by reference to an index as shall be designated by the Company, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of Securities will contain information concerning United States federal income tax considerations, if applicable. Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as hereinafter defined) of the Company. If the Debt Securities are secured, the security, which may consist of real estate properties or other assets owned by the Company, and any related mortgage will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the title, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity, subordination terms, if any, any interest rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of any interest, the right of the Company, if any, to defer payment of interest on the Debt Securities and the maximum length of such deferral period, any terms for redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, any terms for sinking fund payments, any terms for conversion or exchange into other Securities, currency or currencies of denomination and payment, if other than U.S. dollars, any security applicable to Debt Securities which are secured, any listing on a securities exchange and any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, as well as the initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of Trust Preferred Securities, the designation and number, liquidation preference per Trust Preferred Security, initial public offering price, any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which distributions shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue, any voting rights, terms for any conversion or exchange into other Securities, any redemption, exchange or sinking fund provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to the Trust Preferred Securities and the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Trust Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company; (iii) in the case of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares, the specific title, the aggregate amount, any dividend (including the method of calculating payment of dividends), seniority, liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, any terms for any conversion or exchange into other Securities, any listing on a securities exchange, the initial public offering price and any other terms; (iv) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock and the terms of offering thereof; and (v) in the case of Warrants, the designation and number, the exercise price, any listing of the Warrants or the underlying Securities on a securities exchange and any other terms in connection with the offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "KM." Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. The Company and/or each of the Kmart Trusts may sell the Securities directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See "Plan of Distribution." If agents of the Company and/or any Kmart Trust or any dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in or may be calculated from the Prospectus Supplement with respect to such Securities. The net proceeds to the Company from such sale also will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. __________________ The date of this Prospectus is __________, 1996 Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State. -2- 3 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED OR DEEMED INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN, AND ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY AGENT, DEALER OR UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION. AVAILABLE INFORMATION This Prospectus constitutes part of a combined Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company and the Kmart Trusts with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement do not contain all information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Reference is made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to the Company, the Kmart Trusts and the Securities offered hereby. The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements, and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("New York Stock Exchange"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and at the Pacific Stock Exchange, 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104. No separate financial statements of any of the Kmart Trusts have been included herein. The Company does not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the Trust Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of each of the Kmart Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) each of the Kmart Trusts has no independent operations but exists for the sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Kmart Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company, and (iii) the Company's obligations described herein and in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement under the Declarations of each Trust, the guarantee issued with respect to Trust Preferred Securities issued by that Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by that Trust and the related Indenture, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of payments due on the Trust Preferred Securities. See "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees." The Kmart Trusts are not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Kmart Trusts will become subject to such requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although they intend to seek and expect to receive exemptions therefrom. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act (File No. 1-327) are incorporated herein by reference: (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 25, 1995; (2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 26, 1995; (3) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 26, 1995; (4) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 25, 1995; (5) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 11, 1995; (6) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 1995; (7) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 1995; -3- 4 (8) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 26, 1995; (9) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 1995; (10) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 1995; (11) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 1995; (12) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 1996; (13) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 1996; and (14) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 1996. The consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report and Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended January 25, 1995 should be read in connection with the discussion of the Company's current liquidity and financial condition included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis included in Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 25, 1995. All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates the termination of the offering of the Securities made by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or contained in this Prospectus, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (without exhibits to such documents other than exhibits specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Such written or oral request should be directed to the Corporate Reporting Department, Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084 (telephone number (810) 643-1093). THE COMPANY The Company is one of the world's largest mass merchandise retailers. The dominant portion of the Company's business consists of the operation of a chain of more than 2,100 Kmart discount stores with locations in each of the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Canada. In addition, the Company has joint venture operations in Mexico and Singapore. The Company also holds significant equity interests in substantially all of the Meldisco subsidiaries of Melville Corporation, which operate the footwear departments in Kmart stores in the United States, and in Thrifty PayLess Holdings Inc. The Company also owns and operates Builders Square, Inc., a home improvement and home decor superstore retailer. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on March 9, 1916. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084, and its telephone number is (810) 643-1000. -4- 5 THE TRUSTS Each of Kmart Financing I, Kmart Financing II, Kmart Financing III and Kmart Financing IV is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) a separate declaration of trust (each a "Declaration") executed by the Company, as sponsor for such trust (the "Sponsor") and the Kmart Trustees (as defined herein) for such trust and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on February 16, 1996. Each Kmart Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Trust Preferred Securities and common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Trust (the "Trust Common Securities" and, together with the Trust Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"), (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities in a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Trust Common Securities will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. The Trust Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Trust Preferred Securities except that upon an event of default under the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Trust Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. The Company will, directly or indirectly, acquire Trust Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to 3% of the total capital of each Kmart Trust. Each Kmart Trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may earlier terminate as provided in the Declaration. Each Kmart Trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Kmart Trustees") appointed by the Company, as the direct or indirect holder of all the Trust Common Securities. The holder of the Trust Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the Kmart Trustees of a Kmart Trust. The duties and obligations of the Kmart Trustees shall be governed by the Declaration of such Kmart Trust. A majority of the Kmart Trustees (the "Regular Trustees") of each Kmart Trust will be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company. One Kmart Trustee of each Kmart Trust will be a financial institution which will be unaffiliated with the Company and which shall act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in a Prospectus Supplement (the "Property Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one Kmart Trustee of each Kmart Trust will have its principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the Kmart Trusts and the offering of Trust Securities, the payment of which will be guaranteed by the Company. The office of the Delaware Trustee for each Kmart Trust in the State of Delaware is [Address of Delaware Trustee]. The principal place of business of each Kmart Trust shall be c/o Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS (UNAUDITED)
Trailing 52 Weeks Ended(a) Fiscal Year Ended ----------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- October 25, October 26, January 25, January 26, January 27, January 29, January 30, 1995 1994 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges --(b) --(c) 1.2 --(d) 3.0 3.0 2.9 Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends --(b) --(c) 1.1 --(d) 2.5 2.7 2.9
In computing the ratios, earnings consist of pre-tax income from continuing retail operations before extraordinary item and the effect of accounting changes, less undistributed equity income of unconsolidated affiliated retail companies, plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed charges represent total interest charges, a portion of operating rentals representative of the interest factor, and amortization of debt discount and expense. Certain prior year amounts have been restated for the effect of discontinued operations. - --------------- (a) Due to the seasonality of the Company's business, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed on a trailing 52-week basis. (b) The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus fixed charges was $256 million for the trailing 52 weeks ended October 25, 1995. The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus combined fixed charges and preferred dividends was $265 million for the trailing 52 weeks ended October 25, 1995. (c) The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus fixed charges was $706 million for the trailing 52 weeks ended October 26, 1994. Excluding the pre-tax provision of $1,130 million for store restructuring and other charges, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 1.6 for the trailing 52 weeks ended October 26, 1994. The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus combined fixed charges and preferred dividends was $774 million for the trailing 52 weeks ended October 26, 1994. (d) The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus fixed charges was $426 million for the fiscal year ended January 26, 1994. Excluding the pre-tax provision of $1,130 million for store restructuring and other charges, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 2.0 for the fiscal year ended January 26, 1994. The deficiency of earnings from continuing retail operations versus combined fixed charges and preferred dividends was $514 million for the fiscal year ended January 26, 1994. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise specified in the attached Prospectus Supplement, the Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of its Securities to general corporate purposes. The Kmart Trusts will invest all proceeds received from the sale of its Trust Securities in a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities. -5- 6 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the Debt Securities so offered will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities. The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and the trustee named in the Indenture. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a separate Indenture, as supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures (as so supplemented, the "Subordinated Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Indentures." Copies of the forms of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The trustees under the Senior Indenture and under the Subordinated Indenture are referred to herein as the "Debt Trustees." The following summaries of certain material provisions of the Senior Debt Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture applicable to a particular series of Debt Securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever particular Sections, Articles or defined terms of the Indentures are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, it is intended that such Sections, Articles or defined terms shall be incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be. Section and Article references used herein are references to the applicable Indenture. Except as otherwise indicated, the terms of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are identical. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the applicable Indenture. GENERAL The Indentures will not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder, and each Indenture provides that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series up to the aggregate amount from time to time authorized by the Company for each series. (Section 3.1) Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities when issued will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Subordinated Debt Securities when issued will be unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) of the Company as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 15.1 of the Subordinated Indenture) If the Debt Securities are secured, the security, which may consist of real estate properties or other assets owned by the Company, and any related mortgage will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a Kmart Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Kmart Trust, such Subordinated Debt Securities subsequently may be distributed pro rata to the holders of such Trust Securities in connection with the dissolution of such Kmart Trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Trust Securities. Only one series of Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued to a Kmart Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Kmart Trust. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of Debt Securities offered thereby for a description of the following terms or additional provisions of the Debt Securities: (1) the title of the Debt Securities; (2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and the terms of subordination; (3) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities; (4) whether the Debt Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities or Bearer Securities or both, whether any of the Debt Securities shall be issuable in whole or in part in temporary or permanent global form or in the form of Book-Entry Securities and, if so, the circumstances under which any such global securities or Book-Entry Securities may be exchanged for Debt Securities registered in the name of, and any transfer of such global or Book-Entry Securities may be registered to, a Person other than the depository for such temporary or permanent global securities or Book-Entry Securities or its nominee; (5) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Debt Securities will be issued; (6) the date or dates on which the Debt Securities will mature and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates; (7) the rate or rates per annum at which the Debt Securities will bear -6- 7 interest, if any, and the date from which any such interest will accrue; (8) the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest on the Debt Securities will be payable, the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Debt Securities which are Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid; (9) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension; (10) any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions; (11) each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture as described below under "Payment and Paying Agents," the principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities will be payable and each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture as described below under "Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer," the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange; (12) the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and the other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or mandatory redemption provisions, which may include with respect to a particular series or particular Debt Securities within a series, a redemption option of Holders upon certain conditions, as defined in the applicable Indenture; (13) the denominations in which any Debt Securities which are Registered Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denomination or denominations in which any Debt Securities which are Bearer Securities will be issuable, if other than the denomination of $5,000; (14) the currency or currency units of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities; (15) any index used to determine the amount of payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (16) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which such Debt Securities are convertible or exchangeable into a security or securities of the Company; (17) the terms pursuant to which such Debt Securities are subject to defeasance; (18) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which such Debt Securities are secured; and (19) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable Indenture. Any such Prospectus Supplement will also describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the Debt Securities. Debt Securities may also be issued under the Indenture upon the exercise of Warrants. See "Description of Warrants." Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities. An Original Issue Discount Security is a Debt Security, including any Zero-Coupon Security, which is issued at a price lower than the amount payable upon the Stated Maturity thereof and which provides that upon redemption or acceleration of the maturity, an amount less than the amount payable upon the Stated Maturity, determined in accordance with the terms of such Debt Security, shall become due and payable. (Sections 3.1 and 5.2) Certain special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. In addition, certain special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Under the Indentures, the Company will have the ability, in addition to the ability to issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued, without the consent of the holders, to reopen a previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such series (unless such reopening was restricted when such series was created), in an aggregate principal amount determined by the Company. (Section 3.1) FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in definitive form solely as Registered Securities, solely as Bearer Securities or as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities. (Section 3.1) Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, Bearer Securities will have interest coupons attached. (Section 2.1) The Indentures also will provide that Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in temporary or permanent global form and may be issued as Book-Entry Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or another depository named by the Company and identified in a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series. See "Global and Book-Entry Debt Securities." -7- 8 In connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security (including a Debt Security exchangeable for a Bearer Security or a Debt Security in global form that is either a Bearer Security or exchangeable for Bearer Securities) shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States (as defined under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities") and a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security furnishes written certification of the beneficial ownership of the Bearer Security as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(3) (or any comparable successor provisions). In the case of a Bearer Security in permanent global form, such certification must be given in connection with notation of a beneficial owner's interest therein in connection with the original issuance of such Debt Security. See "Global and Book-Entry Debt Securities" and "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities." Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In addition, if Debt Securities of any series are issuable as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities, at the option of the Holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of such series will be exchangeable into Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities between a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest and interest accrued as of such date will not be payable in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture. Registered Securities will not be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities (Section 3.5). Each Bearer Security, and any coupon attached thereto, other than a temporary global Bearer Security will bear the following legend: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code." A Book-Entry Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange (other than as a whole by the Depository to a nominee or by such nominee to such Depository) unless the Depository or such nominee notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository or the Depository ceases to be qualified as required by the applicable Indenture or the Company instructs the Trustee in accordance with the applicable Indenture that such Book-Entry Securities shall be so registrable and exchangeable or there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or an event which after notice or lapse of time would be an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities evidenced by such Book-Entry Securities or there shall exist such other circumstances if any, as may be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and Registered Securities may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed), at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to any series of Debt Securities and referred to in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the applicable Indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. If a Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to maintain (in addition to the Security Registrar) a transfer agent in a Place of Payment for such series located outside the United States. -8- 9 The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities. (Section 10.2) In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on (A) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Debt Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security being redeemed in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Registered Security being redeemed in part; or (iii) exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption, except that such Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption. (Section 3.5) PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Bearer Securities will be made, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of such Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company may designate from time to time, at the option of the Holder, by check or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on Bearer Securities on any Interest Payment Date will be made only against surrender to the Paying Agent of such coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date. (Section 10.1) No payment with respect to any Bearer Security will be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Bearer Securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be made at the office of the Company's Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 10.2) Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Registered Securities will be made at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate from time to time, except that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Registered Securities will be made to the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 3.7) Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Corporate Trust Office of the Debt Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as a Paying Agent for the Company for payments with respect to Debt Securities which are issuable solely as Registered Securities and the Company will maintain a Paying Agent outside of the United States for payments with respect to Debt Securities (subject to the limitations described above in the case of Bearer Securities) which are issuable solely as Bearer Securities or both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities. (Section 10.2) Any Paying Agents outside the United States and any other Paying Agent in the United States initially designated by the Company for the Debt Securities will be named in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt -9- 10 Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for payments with respect to any Registered Securities of the series (and for payments with respect to Bearer Securities of the series in the circumstances described above, but not otherwise), and (ii) a Paying Agent in a Place of Payment located outside the United States where Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided that if the Debt Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, for the Debt Securities of such series. (Section 10.2) Payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Book-Entry Securities registered in the name of any Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such Book-Entry Securities. The Company expects that the Depository, upon receipt of any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests as shown on the records of such Depository or its nominee. Neither the Company, the Debt Trustee, any Paying Agent nor the Securities Registrar for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, such beneficial ownership interests in the Book-Entry Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and the Holder of such Debt Security or any coupon will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 10.3) GLOBAL AND BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES If so specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the portion of the Debt Securities of a series which are issuable as Bearer Securities will initially be represented by one or more temporary or permanent global Debt Securities, without interest coupons, to be deposited with a common depositary in London for the benefit of Euro-clear System ("Euro-clear") and Cedel Bank, Societe Anonyme ("Cedel") for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Debt Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct). (Section 3.4) Unless otherwise indicated by an applicable Prospectus Supplement, on or after 40 days following its issuance, each such temporary global Debt Security will be exchangeable for definitive Bearer Securities, definitive Registered Securities or all or a portion of a permanent global Debt Security, or any combination thereof, as specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, only upon written certification in the form and to the effect described under "Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer." No Bearer Security (including a Debt Security in permanent global form) delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary or permanent global Debt Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States in connection with such exchange. (Section 3.5) A person having a beneficial interest in a permanent global Debt Security will, except with respect to payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such permanent global Debt Security, be treated as a Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities represented by such permanent global Debt Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Holder of such permanent global Debt Security or, in the case of a permanent global Debt Security in bearer form, of the operator of Euro-clear or Cedel which is provided to the Trustee by such Person. (Section 2.3) -10- 11 If Debt Securities to be sold in the United States are designated by the Company in a Prospectus Supplement as Book-Entry Securities, a global security representing the Book-Entry Securities will be deposited in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depository representing the securities to be sold in the United States. Upon such deposit of the Book-Entry Securities, the Depository shall credit an account maintained or designated by an institution to be named by the Company or any purchaser of the Debt Securities represented by the Book-Entry Securities with an aggregate amount of Debt Securities equal to the total number of Debt Securities that have been so purchased. The specific terms of any depository arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by one or more global securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Beneficial interests in such Debt Securities will only be evidenced by, and transfers thereof will only be effected through, records maintained by the Depository and the institutions that are Depository participants. SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. (Section 15.1 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then and in any such event the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash, before the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities, and to that end the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up event. (Section 15.2 of the Subordinated Indenture) By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, creditors of the Company may recover less, ratably, than Holders of Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated Debt Securities, the Holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment upon the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 15.3 of the Subordinated Indenture) No payments on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt, or an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof. (Section 15.4 of the Subordinated Indenture) For purposes of the subordination provisions, the payment, issuance and delivery of cash, property or securities (other than common stock and certain subordinated securities of the -11- 12 Company) upon conversion of a Subordinated Debt Security will be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Subordinated Debt Security. (Section 15.15 of the Subordinated Indenture) The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of additional Senior Debt, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to other obligations of the Company. The Senior Debt Securities constitute Senior Debt under the Subordinated Indenture. "Senior Debt" is defined to include the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including interest accrued on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company to the extent that such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on all indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), other than the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (i) for money borrowed, (ii) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (iii) obligations of the Company as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles or leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and leaseback transaction to which the Company is a party, and (iv) amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligation, unless in any case the instrument creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or obligation or pursuant to which the same is outstanding provides that such indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1.1 of the Subordinated Indenture) The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY If Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a Kmart Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Kmart Trust and (i) there shall have occurred 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 related Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee or Trust Common Securities Guarantee or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period as provided in the Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a Kmart Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities of such Kmart Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company will covenant (i) to directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the Trust Common Securities of such Kmart Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of such Trust Common Securities, (ii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause such Kmart Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such Kmart Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such Kmart Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Kmart Trust, and (b) to continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section ___) CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE RIGHTS The terms on which Debt Securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities of the Company will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the Holder or at the option of the Company, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company to be received by the Holders of Debt Securities would be subject to adjustment. (Section 3.1 and Article XIV) SECURITY FOR SECURED DEBT SECURITIES The terms and conditions pursuant to which the Debt Securities of any series are secured, a description of the security, which may consist of real estate properties or other assets owned by the Company, and the related mortgage will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. (Section 3.1) CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS The Company may not merge or consolidate or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets unless the successor corporation (if other than the Company) is a domestic corporation and assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt Securities and under the applicable Indenture, and unless after giving effect to such transaction the Company or the successor corporation would not be in default under the applicable Indenture. (Section 8.1) Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Indentures contain no restrictive covenant that would afford holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a change in control or a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company or any of its affiliates. -12- 13 EVENTS OF DEFAULT Any one of the following events will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions) provided, however, that a valid extension of the interest payment period shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; (b) failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) on any Debt Security of that series when due (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions) provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Debt Securities shall not constitute a default for this purpose; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not such deposit is prohibited by the subordination provisions); (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the applicable Indenture or such Debt Security (other than a covenant included in the applicable Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series), continued for 90 days after written notice has been given as provided in the applicable Indenture; (e) if the Debt Securities are convertible into shares of Common Stock, failure by the Company to deliver Common Stock upon an appropriate election by the holder or holders of the Debt Securities to convert the Debt Securities into shares of Common Stock; (f) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving the Company; (g) in the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a Kmart Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Kmart Trust, the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Kmart Trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such Kmart Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such Kmart Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Kmart Trust; or (h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 5.1) No event of default described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of Debt Securities. The Indentures provide that if an Event of Default under clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g) above shall have occurred and be continuing (but in the case of clause (d), only if the Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Debt Securities then outstanding), either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (each such series voting as a separate class) may declare the principal (or portion thereof specified in the terms of any series) of all the Debt Securities of such series, together with any accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default under clause (d) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) is with respect to all of the series of Debt Securities then outstanding), or (f) above shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Debt Securities then outstanding (voting as one class) may declare the principal (or portion thereof specified in the terms of the series) of all the Debt Securities, together with any accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. Upon certain conditions such declaration (including a declaration caused by a default in the payment of principal or interest, the payment for which has subsequently been provided) may be annulled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series as was entitled to declare such default (each such series voting as a separate class) or of all the Debt Securities voting as one class, as the case may be. In addition, past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series as was entitled to declare such default (each such series voting as a separate class) or of all the Debt Securities voting as one class, as the case may be, except a default in the payment of principal or interest on the Debt Securities or in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the approval of the holder of each Debt Security affected (Section 5.2). Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the contrary, the right of any holder of a Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Debt Security, on and after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security (as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of such Debt Security) or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder, including, in the case of a Subordinated Debt Security issued to a Kmart Trust, the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust. In addition, in the case of a Subordinated Debt Security issued to a Kmart Trust, 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 principal then a holder of Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for payment. The Indentures will provide that, subject to the duty of the Debt Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the Debt Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Debt Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 6.1) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Debt Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debt Trustees or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debt Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 5.12) The Company will be required to furnish to the applicable Debt Trustee annually a statement as to the performance of certain of its obligations under the applicable Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (Section 10.7) -13- 14 DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE If so specified with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities, the Company may discharge its indebtedness and its obligations or certain of its obligations under the applicable Indenture with respect to such series by depositing funds or obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America with the Trustee. (Section 4.3) The Indentures will provide that, if so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Company will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of such series (including, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, the subordination provisions described under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" herein and, except for certain obligations relating to temporary Debt Securities and exchange of Debt Securities, registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of such series, replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities of such series, maintenance of paying agencies, to hold monies for payment in trust, payment of additional amounts, if any, required in consequence of United States withholding taxes imposed on payments to non-United States persons and, if applicable, conversion of Debt Securities into Common Stock or other securities) upon the deposit with the Debt Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), each installment of interest on, and any sinking fund payments on, the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series. (Section 4.6) Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (a) the Company has delivered to the applicable Debt Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of the applicable Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge, and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; (b) the Debt Securities of such series, if then listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and (c) in the case of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (x) no default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or any interest on any Senior Debt beyond any applicable grace period shall have occurred and be continuing, and (y) no other default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing and shall have resulted in the acceleration of such Senior Debt. In the event of any such defeasance and discharge of Debt Securities of such series, Holders of Debt Securities of such series would be able to look only to such trust fund for payment of principal of and any premium and any interest on their Debt Securities until Maturity. (Section 4.6) DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS The Indentures will provide that, if so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Company may omit to comply with any covenants applicable to such Debt Securities which are subject to covenant defeasance and any such omission shall not be an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, upon the irrevocable deposit with the Debt Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), each installment of interest on and any sinking fund payments thereof and in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments or upon optional redemption and any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments on the Debt Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series. (Sections 4.5 and 4.6) The obligations of the Company under the applicable Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series other than with respect to such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 4.5) Such a trust may be established only if, among -14- 15 other things, the Company has delivered to the Debt Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred and (ii) the Debt Securities of such series, if then listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge. (Section 4.6) In the event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with the covenants described in any Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, then the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Debt Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Default. The Company shall in any event remain liable for such payments as provided in the Indentures. The Debt Trustee must deliver or pay to the Company from time to time, upon request of the Company, any amounts held by it with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, are in excess of the amount which would then be required to be deposited to effect a satisfaction, discharge or defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities. MEETINGS, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company and the Debt Trustee under the applicable Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities issued under the applicable Indenture and affected by such modification or amendment unless a greater percentage of such principal amount is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any such Debt Security, (c) change any obligation of the Company to pay additional amounts, (d) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, (e) change the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, (f) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security, (g) adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, such Debt Security (if applicable), (h) in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, modify the subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (i) if the Debt Securities are secured, change the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Debt Securities are secured in a manner adverse to the Holders of the secured Debt Securities, (j) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the applicable Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (k) reduce the requirements contained in the applicable Indenture for quorum or voting, (l) change any obligations of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes required by the Indentures, or (m) modify any of the above provisions. (Section 9.2) Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company and the Debt Trustee under the applicable Indenture without the consent of any Holder to evidence a successor to the Company, to add to the Company's covenants or Events of Default, to permit or facilitate Debt Securities to be issued by book entry or in bearer form or relating to the place of payment thereof, to provide for a successor trustee, to establish forms or terms of Debt Securities, to change or eliminate any provisions not adversely affecting any interests of Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities in any material respect or to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency. -15- 16 The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture and, if applicable, such Debt Securities, unless a greater percentage of such principal amount is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 5.13) If a Kmart Trust or the Property Trustee of a Kmart Trust holds a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, no such supplemental indenture which requires the approval of the holders of a certain percentage in aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities shall be effective without the approval of the holders of the same percentage of aggregate liquidation preference of Preferred Securities. The applicable Indenture will provide that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency or currency units shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the amount determined as provided in (i) above. The applicable Indenture will contain provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of Debt Securities of a series if Debt Securities of that series are issuable as Bearer Securities. A meeting may be called at any time by the Debt Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given in accordance with "Notices" below. (Sections 13.1 and 13.2) Except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution with respect to any consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present only by the affirmative vote of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; and provided, further, that, except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the applicable Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Debt Securities of that series and the related coupons. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution or with respect to a consent or a waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series then, with respect to such action (and only such action) the Holders entitled to vote such lesser or greater percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. (Section 13.4) NOTICES Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Indenture, notices to Holders of Bearer Securities will be given by publication at least twice in a daily newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Debt Securities. Notices to Holders of Registered Securities will be given by mail to the address of such Holders as they appear in the Security Register. (Section 1.6) TITLE Title to any temporary global Debt Security, any Bearer Securities (including Bearer Securities in permanent global form) and any coupons appertaining thereto will pass by delivery. The Company, the Debt Trustee and -16- 17 any agent of the Company or the Debt Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon and the registered owner of any Registered Security as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security or coupon shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 3.8) REPLACEMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES AND COUPONS Any mutilated Debt Security or a Debt Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining thereto will be replaced by the Company at the expense of the Holder upon surrender of such Debt Security to the Debt Trustee. Debt Securities or coupons that became destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by the Company at the expense of the Holder upon delivery to the Debt Trustee of the Debt Security and coupons or evidence of the destruction, loss or theft thereof satisfactory to the Company and the Debt Trustee; in the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, such coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new Debt Security in exchange for the Debt Security to which such coupon appertains. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or coupon, an indemnity satisfactory to the Debt Trustee and the Company may be required at the expense of the Holder of such Debt Security or coupon before a replacement Debt Security will be issued. (Section 3.6) GOVERNING LAW The Indentures, the Debt Securities and the coupons will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. (Section 1.13) REGARDING THE DEBT TRUSTEE The Indentures contain limitations on the right of the Debt Trustee, as a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. (Section 6.10) In addition, the Debt Trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest and may be required to resign as Debt Trustee if at the time of a default under one of the Indentures it is a creditor of the Company. (Section 6.8) The Company may from time to time maintain deposit accounts and conduct its banking transactions with a Debt Trustee in the ordinary course of business. (Section 6.3) DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES Each Kmart Trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of Trust Preferred Securities having terms described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Declaration of each Kmart Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees of such Kmart Trust to issue on behalf of such Kmart Trust one series of Trust Preferred Securities. The Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Trust Preferred Securities will have such terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation, conversion rights and such other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in the Declaration or made part of the Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act, and which will mirror the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Kmart Trust and described in the Prospectus Supplement related thereto. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Trust Preferred Securities of any Kmart Trust for specific terms, including (i) the distinctive designation of such Trust Preferred Securities; (ii) the number of Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust; (iii) the annual distribution rate (or method of determining such rate) for Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be payable; provided, however, that distributions on such Trust Preferred Securities shall be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such Trust Preferred Securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such Trust Preferred Securities are outstanding; (iv) whether distributions on Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Trust Preferred Securities having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which distributions on Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of such Kmart Trust to the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Kmart Trust; (vi) the obligation, if any, of such Kmart Trust to purchase or redeem Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (vii) the voting rights, if any, of Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust in addition to those required by law, including the number of votes per Preferred Security and any requirement for the approval by the holders of Trust Preferred Securities, or of Trust Preferred Securities issued by one or more Kmart Trusts, or of both, as a condition to specified action or amendments to the -17- 18 Declaration of such Kmart Trust; (viii) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust may be converted into shares of Common Stock, including the conversion price per share and the circumstances, if any, under which any such conversion right shall expire; (ix) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be distributed to holders of Trust Preferred Securities; (x) if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the Trust Preferred Securities shall be listed; and (xi) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust not inconsistent with the Declaration of such Kmart Trust or with applicable law. All Trust Preferred Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees." Certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of Trust Preferred Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. In connection with the issuance of Trust Preferred Securities, each Kmart Trust will issue one series of Trust Common Securities. The Declaration of each Kmart Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees of such trust to issue on behalf of such Kmart Trust one series of Trust Common Securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting and liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth therein. The terms of the Trust Common Securities issued by a Kmart Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the Trust Preferred Securities issued by such trust and the Trust Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Trust Preferred Securities except that, upon an event of default under the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Trust Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the Trust Common Securities will also carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any of the Kmart Trustees of a Kmart Trust. All of the Trust Common Securities of each Kmart Trust will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION On December 7, 1995, as part of President Clinton's Seven-Year Balanced Budget Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the "Proposed Legislation") that, among other things, would prevent companies from deducting interest on debt instruments with a maturity of more than 40 years and would treat as equity for United States federal income tax purposes instruments with a maximum term of more than 20 years that are not shown as indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the issuer. If the Proposed Legislation were enacted in its current form, it would apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Trust Preferred Securities if their maximum term were more than 20 years. If the Proposed Legislation were to apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities, the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Trust Preferred Securities would differ from those described herein. In addition, if the Proposed Legislation were to apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company would not be able to deduct interest paid on the Subordinated Debt Securities, which would constitute a Tax Event. A Tax Event could result in the distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities to holders of the Trust Preferred Securities or, at the Company's option, redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities by the Company. Although it is not the Company's intention to issue securities to which the Proposed Legislation would apply in such a way as to create a Tax Event, there can be no assurances as to whether or in what form the Proposed Legislation may be enacted into law or whether other legislation will be enacted that otherwise adversely affects the tax treatment of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Trust Preferred Securities. The discussion herein assumes that the Proposed Legislation, if enacted, will not apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Trust Preferred Securities. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES If an Event of Default under the Declaration of a Kmart Trust occurs and is continuing, then the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust would rely on the enforcement by the Property Trustee of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company. In addition, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust will have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the applicable Declaration, including the right to direct the Property Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities, a holder of Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under the applicable Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a holder of Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Trust Preferred Securities under the applicable Declaration to the extent of any payment made by the Company to such holder of Trust Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees which will be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Trust Preferred Securities. Each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will act as the independent trustee under each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee") for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be those set forth in such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee and those made part of such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The summary is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. -18- 19 Each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities of the applicable Kmart Trust. GENERAL Pursuant to each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full, to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities issued by a Kmart Trust, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)(except to the extent paid by such Kmart Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which such Kmart Trust may have or assert. The following payments with respect to Trust Preferred Securities issued by a Kmart Trust to the extent not paid by such Kmart Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee thereon (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on such Trust Preferred Securities, to the extent such Kmart Trust shall have funds available therefor; (ii) the redemption price set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Redemption Price"), which will not be lower than the liquidation amount, and all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the extent such Kmart Trust has funds available therefor with respect to any Trust Preferred Securities called for redemption by such Kmart Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Kmart Trust (other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Preferred Securities or the redemption of all of the Trust Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Trust Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent such Kmart Trust has funds available therefor and (b) the amount of assets of such Kmart Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of such Trust Preferred Securities in liquidation of such Kmart Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the holders of Trust Preferred Securities or by causing the applicable Kmart Trust to pay such amounts to such holders. Each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities except to the extent such Kmart Trust shall have funds available therefor. If the Company does not make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a Kmart Trust, such Kmart Trust will not pay distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by such Kmart Trust and will not have funds available therefor. See "Description of Debt Securities -- Certain Covenants of the Company." The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Indenture and the Declaration, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of such Kmart Trust (other than with respect to the Trust Securities); will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities. The Company has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the Kmart Trusts with respect to the Trust Common Securities (the "Trust Common Securities Guarantees") to the same extent as the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, except that upon an event of default under the Indenture, holders of Trust Preferred Securities shall have priority over holders of Trust Common Securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY In each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any Trust Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Kmart Trust remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an event of default under such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Declaration of such Kmart Trust, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities. -19- 20 MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of holders of Trust Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be required), each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Trust Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Kmart Trust. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such Trust Preferred Securities will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities of the applicable Kmart Trust then outstanding. TERMINATION Each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate as to the Trust Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Kmart Trust (a) upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust, (b) upon distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Kmart Trust to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust or (c) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration of such Kmart Trust upon liquidation of such Kmart Trust. Each Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Trust Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Kmart Trust must restore payment of any sums paid under such Trust Preferred Securities or such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee. The subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Securities provide that in the event payment is made on the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee in contravention of such provisions, such payments shall be paid over to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. EVENTS OF DEFAULT An event of default under a Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur upon (a) the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder or (b) if applicable, the failure by the Company to deliver Common Stock upon an appropriate election by the holder or holders of Trust Preferred Securities to convert the Trust Preferred Securities into shares of Common Stock. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Preferred Securities relating to such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under such Trust Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, any holder of Trust Preferred Securities relating to such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant Kmart Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a guarantee payment, a holder of Trust Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee for such payment. The Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against such Kmart Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Company. -20- 21 STATUS OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the Company; and (iii) senior to Common Stock. The terms of the Trust Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Trust Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Kmart Trust by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee relating thereto. The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to a Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request of any holder of Trust Preferred Securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK Under the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company (the "Articles"), the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value ("Preferred Stock"). As of February 1, 1996, there were outstanding (a) 480,628,478 shares of Common Stock and (b) employee stock options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 26,926,231 shares of Common Stock. -21- 22 DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK GENERAL Subject to the prior rights of the holders of Preferred Stock and except as set forth below, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the board of directors, out of the assets of the Company which by law are available therefor, dividends payable either in cash, in property, or in Common Stock. No dividends (other than dividends payable in Common Stock) may be paid on the Common Stock if cash dividends in full on all outstanding Preferred Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment or if any sinking fund for the Preferred Stock is in arrears. At every meeting of stockholders, the holders of Common Stock shall have the right with the holders of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, to vote in the election of directors and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of the stockholders on the basis of one vote for each share of Common Stock or Preferred Stock held. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the business of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled, after payment or provisions for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company and the amounts to which the holders of Preferred Stock are entitled, to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Company. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights, cumulative voting rights or subscription rights. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. First National Bank of Boston, N.A. is the Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Paying Agent for the Common Stock. CERTAIN PROVISIONS The Articles and bylaws of the Company contain provisions, summarized below, that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt of the Company. This summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Articles and the bylaws, as well as the provisions of any applicable laws. The board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with a minimum of seven directors and a maximum of 21 directors constituting the entire board of directors. The directors may be removed by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors only for cause or by the vote of a majority of the directors with or without cause. The total number of directors and the number of directors constituting each class of directors (with each of the three classes being required to be equal as nearly as possible) can be fixed or changed, from time to time, by the board of directors within such authorized limits. Incumbent directors are delegated the power to fill any vacancies on the board of directors, however occurring, whether by an increase in the number of directors, death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise. In addition, provisions in the Company's bylaws require stockholders to give advance notice of proposals to be presented at meetings of stockholders, including director nominations. The Company is subject to Chapter 7A of the Michigan Business Corporation Act (the "MBCA"), which provides that business combinations subject to Chapter 7A between a Michigan corporation and a beneficial owner of shares entitled to 10% or more of the voting power of such corporation generally require the affirmative vote of 90% of the votes of each class of stock entitled to vote, and not less than 2/3 of each class of stock entitled to vote (excluding voting shares owned by such 10% owner), voting as a separate class. -22- 23 Such requirements do not apply if (i) the corporation's board of directors approves the transaction prior to the time the 10% owner becomes such or (ii) the transaction satisfies certain fairness standards, certain other conditions are met and the 10% owner has been such for at least five years. Chapter 7B of the MBCA provides that, unless a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws provide that Chapter 7B does not apply, "control shares" of a corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except as granted by the stockholders of the corporation. "Control shares" are shares which, when added to shares previously owned by a stockholder, increase such stockholder's ownership of voting stock to more than 20% but less than 33 1/3%, more than 33 1/3% but less than a majority, or more than a majority, of the votes to which all of the capital stock of the corporation is entitled. A control share acquisition must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all shares entitled to vote excluding voting shares owned by the acquiror and certain officers and directors. However, no such approval is required for gifts or other transactions not involving consideration, for a merger to which the corporation is a party or certain other transactions described in Chapter 7B. The bylaws of the Company currently contain a provision pursuant to which the Company has opted not to be subject to Chapter 7B, but the board of directors may, in its sole discretion, elect to become subject to Chapter 7B by amending such bylaws. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK The following summary contains a description of certain general terms of the Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain terms of any series of Preferred Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms set forth below. The description of certain material provisions of the Preferred Stock is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Company's Articles, and the Certificate of Designation (the "Certificate of Designation") relating to each particular series of Preferred Stock which will be filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of the issuance of such Preferred Stock. GENERAL Under the Articles, the board of directors of the Company is authorized, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. As of February 1, 1996, no shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding. The board of directors of the Company may from time to time authorize the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series, and each such series shall have such dividend and liquidation preferences, redemption prices, conversion rights, and other terms and provisions as may be contained in the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company providing for their issuance. The shares of any series of Preferred Stock will be, when issued, fully paid and non-assessable and holders thereof will have no preemptive rights in connection therewith. RANK All series of Preferred Stock rank on a parity with each other and rank senior to Common Stock with respect to payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation. DIVIDENDS Holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock. Such rate -23- 24 may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of Preferred Stock as they appear on the books of the Company (or, if applicable, the records of the Depositary referred to below under "Description of Depositary Shares") on such record dates as shall be fixed by the board of directors. Dividends on any series of Preferred Stock will be cumulative. Accumulations of dividends will not bear interest. No full dividends may be declared or paid on funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any series of Preferred Stock unless dividends shall have been paid or set apart for such payment on the Preferred Stock of all series. If full dividends are not so paid, all series of Preferred Stock shall share ratably in the payment of dividends. CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of another series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or exchangeable for another series of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or Debt Securities of the Company. The Common Stock of the Company is described under "Description of Common Stock." REDEMPTION A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or the holder thereof and may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise upon terms and at the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The board of directors of the Company shall not create a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of any series of Preferred Stock unless provision for a sinking fund at least as beneficial to all issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall either then exist or be at the same time created. In the event of partial redemptions of Preferred Stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, the shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or pro rata, as may be determined by the board of directors of the Company, or by any other method determined to be equitable by the board of directors. On and after a redemption date, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution is made on any Common Stock, distributions upon liquidation in the amount set forth in the Certificate of Designation or the Prospectus Supplement, as applicable, relating to such series of Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and all other series of Preferred Stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which each is entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets of the Company. -24- 25 VOTING RIGHTS At every meeting of stockholders, the holders of Preferred Stock shall have the right with the holders of Common Stock, voting as a single class, to vote in the election of directors and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of the stockholders on the basis of one vote for each share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock held. If at the time of any meeting of shareholders, dividends on all series of Preferred Stock then outstanding are in arrears in an aggregate amount equal to six quarterly dividends, then the shares of all series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a class, will have the right at each meeting of stockholders thereafter held to elect two of the total directors to be selected at such meeting until all arrearages of dividends accumulated on all series of Preferred Stock for all preceding dividend periods shall have been paid or declared or set apart for payment. While holders of Preferred Stock voting as a class are entitled to elect two directors they are not entitled to vote on the election of any other directors. Whenever all arrearages of dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, the tenure of all directors so elected by them will automatically terminate. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR The transfer agent for each series of Preferred Stock will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES The description set forth below of certain material provisions of the Deposit Agreement (as defined below) and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary Receipts (as defined below) is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt relating to the Preferred Stock, which will be filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. -25- 26 GENERAL The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of Preferred Stock, rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. In such event, the Company will issue receipts for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of Preferred Stock as described below. The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") between the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $60,000,000 (the "Depositary"). Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights). The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement (the "Depositary Receipts"). Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Pending the preparation of definitive Depositary Receipts, the Depositary may, upon the written order of the Company or any holder of deposited Preferred Stock, execute and deliver temporary Depositary Receipts which are substantially identical to, and entitle the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be exchangeable for definitive Depositary Receipts. DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock to the record holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to the numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares entitled thereto. If the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, it may, with the approval of the Company, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders. REDEMPTION OF STOCK If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary. The Depositary Shares will be redeemed by the Depositary at a price per Depositary Share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed. Whenever the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the Depositary. -26- 27 WITHDRAWAL OF STOCK Any holder of Depositary Shares may, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of the Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption), receive the number of whole shares of the related series of Preferred Stock and any money or other property represented by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary Shares making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of Preferred Stock on the basis set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement for such series of Preferred Stock, but holders of such whole shares of Preferred Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Preferred Stock under the Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Receipts therefor. If the Depositary Shares surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal exceed the number of Depositary Shares that represent the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares. VOTING DEPOSITED PREFERRED STOCK Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the Depositary Shares relating to such series of Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the relevant series of Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of such series of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all reasonable actions that may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the Depositary Shares representing Preferred Stock of any series will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least the amount of the Depositary Shares then outstanding representing the minimum amount of Preferred Stock of such series necessary to approve any amendment that would materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of such series. Every holder of an outstanding Depositary Receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective, or any transferee of such holder, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Depositary Receipt, or by reason of the acquisition thereof, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. The Deposit Agreement automatically terminates if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed; or (ii) each share of Preferred Stock has been converted into other Preferred Stock or Common Stock or has been exchanged for Debt Securities; or (iii) there has been a final distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares. CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company will pay all charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the relevant series of Preferred Stock and any redemption of such Preferred Stock. -27- 28 Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges or expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of its intent to do so, and the Company may at any time remove the Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $60,000,000. MISCELLANEOUS The Depositary will forward all reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to the Depositary and which the Company is required to furnish to the holders of the deposited Preferred Stock. Neither the Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Company and the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares, Depositary Receipts or shares of Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine. DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS The Company may issue Warrants, including Warrants to purchase Debt Securities ("Debt Warrants"), Preferred Stock, including Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares ("Preferred Stock Warrants"), Common Stock ("Common Stock Warrants"), or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any Securities and may be attached to or separate from such Securities. The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements (each a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Warrants being offered pursuant thereto. DEBT WARRANTS The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Debt Warrants offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants and the certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including the following: (1) the title of such Debt Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Debt Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Debt Warrants will be issued; (4) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of such Debt Warrants may be payable; (5) the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants; (6) the designation and terms of any related Debt Securities with which such Debt Warrants are issued, and the number of such Debt Warrants issued with each such Debt Security; (7) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants will be payable; (8) the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (9) the principal amount of Debt -28- 29 Securities purchasable upon exercise of each Debt Warrant, and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such exercise; (10) the date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants will commence, and the date on which such right will expire; (11) the maximum or minimum number of such Debt Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (12) a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and (13) any other terms of such Debt Warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants. Certificates representing Debt Warrants will be exchangeable for new certificates representing Debt Warrants of different denominations, and Debt Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Debt Warrants, holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights as holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Preferred Stock Warrants offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Preferred Stock Warrants and the certificates representing such Preferred Stock Warrants, including the following: (1) the title of such Preferred Stock Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Preferred Stock Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Preferred Stock Warrants will be issued; (4) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of such Preferred Stock Warrants may be payable; (5) the designation, number of shares and terms (including, among others, dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights) of the Preferred Stock (including Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares) purchasable upon exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants; (6) the designation and terms of any related Securities of the Company with which such Warrants are issued, and the number of such Preferred Stock Warrants issued with each such Security; (7) the date, if any, on and after which such Preferred Stock Warrants and the related Securities will be separately transferable; (8) the maximum or minimum number of Preferred Stock Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (9) if applicable, a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and (10) any other terms of such Preferred Stock Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants. Certificates representing Preferred Stock Warrants will be exchangeable for new certificates representing Preferred Stock Warrants of different denominations, and Preferred Stock Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Preferred Stock Warrants, holders of such Preferred Stock Warrants will not have any of the rights as holders of the Preferred Stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any dividend payments, liquidation premiums or voting rights of the Preferred Stock (including Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares) purchasable upon such exercise. COMMON STOCK WARRANTS The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Common Stock Warrants, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Common Stock Warrants and the certificates representing such Common Stock Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered which may include: (1) the title of such Common Stock Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Common Stock Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Common Stock Warrants will be issued; (4) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of such Common Stock Warrants may be payable; (5) if applicable, the designation and terms of any related Security with which such Common Stock Warrants are issued, and the number of such Common Stock Warrants issued with each such related Security; (6) if -29- 30 applicable, the date on and after which such Common Stock Warrants and the related Security will be separately transferable; (7) the date on which the right to exercise such Common Stock Warrants will commence, and the date on which such right will expire; (8) the maximum or minimum number of such Common Stock Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (9) if applicable, a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and (10) any other terms of such Common Stock Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such Common Stock Warrants. Certificates representing Common Stock Warrants will be exchangeable for new certificates representing Common Stock Warrants of different denominations, and Common Stock Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Common Stock Warrants, holders of Common Stock Warrants will not have any of the rights as holders of Common Stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the Common Stock purchasable upon such exercise. EXERCISE OF WARRANTS Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of Debt Securities or number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the certificate representing the Warrants properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the Warrants represented by such certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining Warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void. LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES In compliance with United States federal tax laws and regulations, Bearer Securities (including Debt Securities that are exchangeable for Bearer Securities and Debt Securities in permanent global form that are either Bearer Securities or exchangeable for Bearer Securities) may not be offered, sold, resold or delivered in connection with their original issuance in the United States or to United States persons (each as defined below) except as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D) including offers and sales to offices located outside the United States of United States financial institutions (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) which agree in writing to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A),(B) or (C) of the Code, as defined below, and the regulations thereunder, and any underwriters, agents and dealers participating in the offering of Debt Securities must agree in writing that they will not offer, sell or resell any Bearer Securities to persons within the United States or to United States persons (except as described above) nor deliver Bearer Securities within the United States. In addition, any such underwriters, agents and dealers must represent in writing that they have in effect, in connection with the offer and sale of the Debt Securities, procedures reasonably designed to ensure that their employees or agents who are directly engaged in selling the Debt Securities are aware that Bearer Securities cannot be offered or sold to a person who is within the United States or is a United States person except as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D). Furthermore, the owner of the obligation (or the financial institution or clearing organization through which the owner holds the obligation) must certify to the Company that the owner is not a United States Person. Bearer Securities and any coupons attached hereto will bear the following legend: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code." Purchasers of Bearer Securities may be affected by certain limitations under United States tax laws. -30- 31 As used herein, "United States person" means (i) an individual who is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source, and "United States" means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell any series of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants and the Kmart Trusts may sell the Preferred Securities being offered hereby, to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to other purchasers, or through agents. The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the price of the offered Securities and the net proceeds to the Company from such sale, any underwriting discounts or other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which the Securities may be listed. If underwriters are used in the sale, the Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering, and if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters or agents to purchase the Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Securities if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. If a dealer is utilized in the sale of any Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust will sell such Securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Securities may be sold directly by the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust to one or more institutional purchasers, or through agents designated by the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust from time to time, at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed, or at varying prices determined at time of sale. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the Securities will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust or from purchasers or Securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions. Underwriters, agents, and dealers participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and/or, if applicable, any Kmart Trust and any profit on the resale of the Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. -31- 32 Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any Debt Securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, Debt Securities in bearer form in the United States or to United States persons except as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D). See "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities." Each series of Securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the Common Stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom Securities are sold by the Company or the Kmart Trusts for public offering and sale may make a market in such Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any Securities. Agents, dealers, and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with the Company and/or any Kmart Trust to indemnification by the Company and/or any Kmart Trust against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that such agents, dealers, or underwriters may be required to make with respect thereto. Underwriters, dealers, or agents and their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business. LEGAL MATTERS The legality of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman, Detroit, Michigan, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, New York, New York. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 25, 1995, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. -32- 33 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION The following table sets forth the expenses to be borne by the Company in connection with the offerings described in this Registration Statement. All such expenses other than the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee are estimates. Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee. . . . . $396,551.72 Transfer Agents, Trustees and Depositary's Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000.00 Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . 100,000.00 Accounting Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255,000.00 Blue Sky Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000.00 Legal Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450,000.00 Rating Agency Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270,000.00 Miscellaneous (including Listing Fees, if applicable). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,448.28 --------- Total $1,600,000 ==========
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS The Registrant's By-Laws and the Michigan Business Corporation Act permit the Registrant's officers and directors to be indemnified under certain circumstances for expenses and, in some instances, for judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement of civil, criminal, administrative and investigative suits or proceedings, including those involving alleged violations of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"). In addition, the Registrant maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance which, under certain circumstances, would cover alleged violations of the Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to officers and directors pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. Therefore, in the event that a claim for such indemnification is asserted by any officer or director the Registrant (except insofar as such claim seeks reimbursement by the Registrant of expenses paid or incurred by an officer or director in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding ) will, unless the matter has theretofore been adjudicated by precedent deemed by the Registrant to be controlling, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether or not indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including those incorporated herein by reference. II-1 34
Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits - ------ ----------------------- 1 The form of Underwriting Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. 4(a)* Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. 4(b)* Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. 4(c) The form or forms of Securities with respect to each particular series of Securities registered hereunder (except the form of convertible Preferred Security which is included in Exhibit 4(h)) will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. 4(d)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 4(e)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 4(f)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 4(g)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 4(h)(i) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 4(h)(ii) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 4(h)(iii) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 4(h)(iv) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 4(i)* Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection with the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities and Trust Preferred Securities. 4(j)(i) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I. 4(j)(ii) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing II. 4(j)(iii) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing III. 4(j)(iv) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing IV. 5(a) Opinion of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman. 5(b) Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. 5(c) Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom regarding the legality of the trust issued securities. 12* Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. 23(a) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants. 23(b) Consent of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman (included in Exhibit 5(a)). 23(c) Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (included in Exhibits 5(b) and 5(c)). 25(a)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Senior Indenture. 25(b)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. 25(c)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 25(d)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 25(e)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 25(f)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 25(g)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I. 25(h)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing II. 25(i)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing III. 25(j)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing IV.
- ---------------- * Previously filed. ITEM 17 UNDERTAKINGS The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement, provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and 1(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those II-2 35 paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-3 36 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement or amendment thereto to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Troy and State of Michigan on March 22, 1996. KMART CORPORATION By /s/ Floyd Hall ----------------------------------------------- (Floyd Hall) Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement or amendment thereto has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 22, 1996.
Signatures Title Signatures Title ---------- ----- ---------- ----- /s/ Floyd Hall Chairman of the /s/ Joseph P. Flannery - ------------------------------ Board, President ------------------------------ Director (Floyd Hall) (Principal Executive (Joseph P. Flannery) Officer) and Director /s/ Marvin P. Rich Executive Vice President, /s/ David B. Harper - ------------------------------ Strategic Planning, Finance ---------------------------- Director (Marvin P. Rich) and Administration (David B. Harper) Senior Vice President and /s/ Martin E. Welch III Chief Financial Officer - ------------------------------ (Duly authorized officer, ---------------------------- Director Principal Financial and (F. James McDonald) Accounting Officer) /s/ Lilyan H. Affinito /s/ J. Richard Munro - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (Lilyan H. Affinito) (J. Richard Munro) /s/ Joseph A. Califano, Jr. /s/ Lawrence Perlman - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (Joseph A. Califano, Jr.) (Lawrence Perlman) /s/ Richard G. Cline /s/ Gloria M. Shatto - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (Richard G. Cline) (Gloria M. Shatto) /s/ Willie D. Davis /s/ James O. Welch, Jr. - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (Willie D. Davis) (James O. Welch, Jr.) /s/ Enrique C. Falla - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (Enrique C. Falla) (James B. Adamson) /s/ William P. Weber /s/ Robert D. Kennedy - ------------------------------ Director ---------------------------- Director (William P. Weber) (Robert D. Kennedy)
II-4 37 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Kmart Financing I, Kmart Financing II, Kmart Financing III and Kmart Financing IV certify that they have reasonable grounds to believe that they meet all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and that they have duly caused this Registration Statement or amendment thereto to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Troy and State of Michigan on March 22, 1996. KMART FINANCING I By /s/ Marvin P. Rich ------------------------------ Marvin P. Rich, Trustee By /s/ James P. Churilla ------------------------------ James P. Churilla, Trustee KMART FINANCING II By /s/ Marvin P. Rich ------------------------------ Marvin P. Rich, Truste By /s/ James P. Churilla ------------------------------ James P. Churilla, Trustee KMART FINANCING III By /s/ Marvin P. Rich ------------------------------ Marvin P. Rich, Trustee By /s/ James P. Churilla ------------------------------ James P. Churilla, Trustee KMART FINANCING IV By /s/ Marvin P. Rich ------------------------------ Marvin P. Rich, Trustee By /s/ James P. Churilla ------------------------------ James P. Churilla, Trustee II-5 38 Index to Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits - ------ ----------------------- 1 The form of Underwriting Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. 4(a)* Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. 4(b)* Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. 4(c) The form or forms of Securities with respect to each particular series of Securities registered hereunder (except the form of convertible Preferred Security which is included in Exhibit 4(h)) will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. 4(d)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 4(e)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 4(f)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 4(g)* Certificate of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 4(h)(i) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 4(h)(ii) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 4(h)(iii) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 4(h)(iv) Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 4(i)* Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection with the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities and Trust Preferred Securities. 4(j)(i) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I. 4(j)(ii) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing II. 4(j)(iii) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing III. 4(j)(iv) Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing IV. 5(a) Opinion of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman. 5(b) Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. 5(c) Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom regarding the legality of the trust issued securities. 12* Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. 23(a) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants. 23(b) Consent of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman (included in Exhibit 5(a)). 23(c) Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (included in Exhibits 5(b) and 5(c)). 25(a)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Senior Indenture. 25(b)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. 25(c)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing I. 25(d)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing II. 25(e)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing III. 25(f)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Kmart Financing IV. 25(g)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing I. 25(h)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing II. 25(i)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing III. 25(j)* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee of Kmart Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Kmart Financing IV.
- ---------------- * Previously filed. EX-4.(H)(I) 2 EX-4.(H)(I) 1 EXHIBIT 4(h)(i) ================================ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST KMART FINANCING I Dated as of March __, 1996 ================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.2 Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.3 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.4 Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees . . . . 17 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . 24 SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 3.15 Mergers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ARTICLE IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 i 3 Page ---- ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.10 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 33 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates . . . 39 SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. . . . . . 40 ii 4 PAGE ---- ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.3 Banking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.4 Withholding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. . . 52 SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. . . . . 53 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 14.2 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.4 Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.7 Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 iii 5 PAGE ---- ANNEX I TERMS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE. . . . A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 iv 6 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE* Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration ------------------- ----------- 310(a) .......................................... 5.3(a) 310(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 311(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 312(a) .......................................... 2.2(a) 312(b) .......................................... 2.2(b) 313 ............................................. 2.3 314(a) .......................................... 2.4 314(b) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(c) .......................................... 2.5 314(d) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(f) .......................................... Inapplicable 315(a) .......................................... 3.9(b) 315(c) .......................................... 3.9(a) 315(d) .......................................... 3.9(a) 316(a) .......................................... Annex I 316(c) .......................................... 3.6(e) _______________ * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. v 7 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF KMART FINANCING I March __, 1996 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of March __, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Kmart Financing I (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of February 16, 1996, (the "Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 16, 1996, 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; WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; WHEREAS, all of the Trustees 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 business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. 8 ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above 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 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. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person. "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. 2 9 "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Convertible Preferred Security Certificate. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Convertible Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Time" and each "Date of Delivery" under the Underwriting 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 specified in Section 7.1(a). "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities. "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "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 Regular Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Conversion Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2. "Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities. 3 10 "Convertible Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). "Convertible Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Convertible Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities. "Debenture Issuer" means Kmart Corporation in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "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 series of Debentures to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B. "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. 4 11 "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "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 __, 1996, among the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued. "Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 5.3. "Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "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 Annex I hereto. "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g). "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred 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 5 12 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. "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the Securities as set forth in Annex I. "Officers' Certificate" 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 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 3.8(h). "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. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of __________, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities. "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with respect to the offer and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only two Regular Trustees, both of them. 6 13 "Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor. "Responsible Officer" means, 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 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. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act. "Securities" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Convertible Preferred 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 Annex I hereto. "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Sponsor" means Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in SectionE2.6(a)(ii). "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto. "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more 7 14 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. "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). "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 Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering and sale of Convertible Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 8 15 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Institutional Trustee by the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section Section 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee. Within 60 days after May 1 of each year, the Institutional Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, 9 16 provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Convertible Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences, 10 17 provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Institutional Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. 11 18 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Institutional 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 Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default except: (i) a default under Sections ____ and ____ of the Indenture; or (ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named "Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV]" as such name may be modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of 12 19 Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office. SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) 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 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series of Convertible Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and, provided 13 20 further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date; (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to: (i) execute and file with the Commission the registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Convertible Preferred Securities; (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part of the Convertible Preferred Securities in any State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Convertible Preferred Securities for sale; (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; (iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and (v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities; (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities; (d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees shall consult with the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee before taking or 14 21 refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event; (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the Trust Indenture Act; (j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Regular Trustee; (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer agent for the Securities; (m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; 15 22 (o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders; and (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust. The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer. 16 23 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Institutional Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Trustees (including 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 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; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Amended and Restated Declaration or 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 more than an insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.8 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 Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may 17 24 hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. 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 Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Institutional Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee 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 Institutional Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Convertible Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature;and (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (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. 18 25 (e) The Institutional Trustee shall take any 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of 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 5.7. (g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee shall, 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 the terms of such Securities. (h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any 19 26 time and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Institutional Trustee. (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set forth in Section 3.6. The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. (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 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, 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) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the state- 20 27 ments and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Institutional Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; (ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) 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 Securities 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; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee 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; (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; 21 28 (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Institutional Trustee Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and (viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Direction or an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees; (iv) 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 registration thereof; (v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts and the advice or opinion of such 22 29 counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. 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; (vi) 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 Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) 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; (vii) 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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Institutional Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Institutional 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 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 23 30 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; (x) 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 Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance with such instructions; and (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration. (b) 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 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is authorized to execute 24 31 on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6; provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date. SECTION 3.15 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 3.15(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Convertible Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Convertible Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; 25 32 (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Sponsor 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 new entity); and (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 26 33 (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantees. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(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 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 IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Convertible Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto; (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Convertible Preferred 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; (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; 27 34 (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Parent (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Institutional Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. SECTION 5.2 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 28 35 (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, provided that, if the Institutional Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Institutional Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 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; 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Institutional Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (d) The Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 29 36 (e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Institutional Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees. The initial Regular Trustees shall be: Marvin P. Rich James P. Churilla (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee. (b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6, provided, that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6, including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees; and (c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York (Delaware) SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. 30 37 (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Sponsor; and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Institutional Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Institutional Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such 31 38 appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional Trustee as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (f) 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. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. SECTION 5.9 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 annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. 32 39 If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee. Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours 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 Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular 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. Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation 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 corporation 33 40 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 corporation 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 corporation 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 VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Convertible Preferred 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 Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium 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 VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of convertible preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Convertible Preferred Securities") and one class of convertible 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 Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed 34 41 any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee 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 Regular Trustee; 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 the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. (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 Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent. In the event that the Convertible Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Convertible Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent). The Trust shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion Agent"). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent and the term "Conversion Agent" includes any additional conversion agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Institu- 35 42 tional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Common Securities. The Trust initially appoints the Institutional Trustee as Conversion Agent for the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust; (iv) 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; (v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; (vi) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all Securities Holders upon conversion of all outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities; or (vii) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 36 43 (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the termination of the Trust. ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) Subject to this Article IX, Convertible Preferred Securities shall be freely transferable. (c) Subject to this Article IX, the Sponsor and any Related Party may only transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the Sponsor; provided that, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the transferee would become an Investment Company. SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates. The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each trans- 37 44 feree shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees 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 shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Convertible Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more, fully registered, global Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificate representing such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7: (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners; (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and 38 45 (d) the rights of the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants. SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates. If: (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to Section 9.6; or (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, then: (c) Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the Regular Trustees on 39 46 behalf of the Trust with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities; and (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause Definitive Certificates to be delivered to Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Convertible Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If: (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees 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, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute 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 9.8, the Regular Trustees 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. 40 47 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and (ii) be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of 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 Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred 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 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the as- 41 48 sets, liabilities, profits,losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of as-sets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or 42 49 (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably 43 50 entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with 44 51 respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Convertible Preferred Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Convertible Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company 45 52 Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Institutional Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. SECTION 10.5 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. No 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. 46 53 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular Trustees. (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared 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; (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust. (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev- 47 54 er, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Institutional Trustee Account. SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees 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 Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee; and 48 55 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee; (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, 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 (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to: (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; 49 56 (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities and; (f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; and (g) notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended without the consent of the Holders of the 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; (iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 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; and (v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of the Amended Declaration to such extent as may be necessary. SECTION 12.2 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 Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities 50 57 wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of Securities: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of 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 Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of 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 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 Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees; (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 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; 51 58 (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, 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 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. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 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: (a) the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association 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, the Declaration; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless 52 59 of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Articles of Organization 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 the Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, 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, the Declaration. (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (c) 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 the 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 State of Delaware. 53 60 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees 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): Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV] c/o Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________________ (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) 23 White Clay Center Route 273 Newark, Delaware 19711 Attention: Corporate Trust Department (c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office to the attention of ______________ (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities). (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:________________ (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 54 61 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 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. SECTION 14.3 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 14.4 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 14.5 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 so expressed. SECTION 14.6 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 14.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same 55 62 force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 56 63 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written. _______________________________ Marvin P. Rich, as Regular Trustee _______________________________ James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustee The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor By:____________________________ Name: Title: 57 64 ANNEX I TERMS OF ___% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES ___% CONVERTIBLE COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March __, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Convertible Preferred 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 or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below): 1. Designation and Number. (a) Convertible Preferred Securities. [ ] Convertible Preferred Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per convertible preferred security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities" (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Convertible Preferred Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed. (b) Common Securities. [ ] Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per common security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "______% Convertible Trust Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. I-1 65 2. Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from March __, 1996, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1 of each year, commencing on July 1, 1996, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of I-2 66 the Trust on the relevant record dates. While the Convertible Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the Convertible Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated______, 1996, to the Prospectus dated ______, 1996 (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor, the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Convertible Preferred Securities. If the Convertible Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Convertible Preferred Securities, shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. 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, 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 date. (d) In the event of an election by the Holder to convert its Securities through the Conversion Agent into Kmart's Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Securities as set forth in this Annex I to the Declaration, no payment, allowance or adjustment shall be made with respect to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities, or be required to be made; provided that Holders of Securities at the close of business on any record date for the payment of Distributions will be entitled to receive the Distributions payable on such Securities on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities into Kmart's Common Stock following such record date. I-3 67 (e) 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 any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or termination, 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, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities. If, upon any such dissolution, 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 the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Special Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption, payable in cash as set forth below (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption. Except in connection with a Special Event, the Securities may not be redeemed by the Trust prior to April 1, 1999. On or after such date, the Trust may, at its option, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, out of the proceeds received by the Trust from the prepayment or repayment by Kmart of the principal on the Debentures, at any time or from time to time during the twelve month periods beginning on April 1 in each of the following years at the following redemption prices, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date:
Year Redemption Price 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 and thereafter
If a partial redemption of the Securities resulting from a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the delisitng of the Securities, Kmart may only redeem the Debentures in whole. (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Convertible Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Convertible Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. I-4 68 (c) If, at any time, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, as defined below, a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of Debentures, and provided, further, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture Issuer the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, the Sponsor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution. If in the event of a Tax Event (i) after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Debenture Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even after the Debentures were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, and, following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture I-5 69 Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day period, the Tax Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption. "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, 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 therefor or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after, the first date of issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable in cash by the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority on or after the first date of the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which the Securities are offered (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing Convertible Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Convertible Preferred Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissue. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions I-6 70 have been paid on all Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption. (e) If the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as the Convertible Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures. (f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures for Redemption by the Trust." (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder 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(f)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Convertible Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, with respect to the Convertible Preferred I-7 71 Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the Depository or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and will give the Depository irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Convertible Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee 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 the relevant 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, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, distributions will cease to 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 Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) 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 Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue 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. (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Deposito- I-8 72 ry or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holder 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), provided 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 Convertible Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. (g) If at any time there occurs a Fundamental Change (as defined below), each Holder of the Securities shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Trust to redeem all (and not less than all) of such Holder's Securities in cash on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of Kmart's notice of such Fundamental Change referred to below. In such event, the Trust shall redeem the Securities at a price per Security equal to (i) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1996, (ii) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1997, (iii) $______ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1998, and (iv) thereafter at the redemption price which would be applicable to a redemption at the option of the Trust on the Repurchase Date; provided that if the Applicable Price (as defined below) is less than the Reference Market Price (as defined below), the Trust shall redeem such Convertible Preferred Securities at a price equal to the foregoing redemption price multiplied by the fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market Price. In each case, the Trust shall also pay accrued distributions on the Securities to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided that, if such Repurchase Date is a distribution payment date, then the distribution payable on such date shall be paid to the Holder of record on the relevant record date. The Trust will have corresponding rights to redeem the Debentures. The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or events in connection with which all or substantially all of the Kmart Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute the right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common stock which is (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be) listed on a United States national securities exchange or approved for quotation on Nasdaq National Market or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices. The term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change in which the Holders of Kmart Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by the Holder of one share of Kmart Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other Fundamental Change, the average of the last reported executed trade price (regular way) for the Kmart Common stock during the ten trading days prior to the record date for the determination of the Holders of Kmart Common Stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change, or, if no such record date exists, the date upon which the Holders of the Kmart Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change. The term "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $ which is equal to 66 2/3% of the price of Kmart Common Stock as of the date hereof. In the event of any adjustment to the conversion rate, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the Reference Market Price, after giving effect to any such adjustment, shall equal the Market Reference Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate after such adjustment. On or before the 10th day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Trust shall mail to all Holders of record of the Securities a notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption rights arising as a result thereof. The Trust shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Institutional Trustee. To exercise the redemption right, on or before the Repurchase Date Holders of the Securities must deliver written notice to the Institutional Trustee, as Conversion Agent, of the Holders' exercise of such right. Payment for Securities surrendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) prior to the Repurchase Date will be made promptly following the Repurchase Date. Subject to the requirements of DTC, the redemption rights associated with Securities may be exercised by the presentation to the Institutional Trustee of one or more redemption notices duly completed by or on behalf of the participant of DTC or any clearing system in which the relevant Convertible Preferred Security is held at such time with an interest in such Security and, if required, payment of any transfer or similar taxes (other than those described above). Surrender of any global certificate to the Institutional Trustee shall not be required. 5. Conversion Rights. The Holders of Securities shall have the right at any time, at their option, to cause the Conversion Agent to convert Securities, on behalf of the converting Holders, into shares of Kmart's Common Stock in the manner described herein on and subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) The Securities will be convertible at the office of the Conversion Agent into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock pursuant to the Holder's direction to the Conversion Agent to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures theretofore held by the Trust on the basis of one Security per $__ principal amount of Debentures, and immediately convert such amount of Debentures into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock at an initial rate of ________ shares of Kmart Common Stock per $__ principal amount of Debentures (which is equivalent to a conversion price of $______ per share of Kmart Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the terms of the Debentures (as so adjusted, "Conversion Price")). (b) In order to convert Securities into Kmart's Common Stock the Holder shall submit to the Conversion Agent at the office referred to above an irrevocable request to convert Securities on behalf of such Holder (the "Conversion Request"), together, if the Securities are in certificated form, with such certificates. The Conversion Request shall (i) set forth the number of Securities to be converted and the name or names, if other than the Holder, in which the shares of Kmart's Common Stock should be issued and (ii) direct the Conversion Agent (a) to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the preceding paragraph) and (b) to immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of such Holder, into Kmart's Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the preceding paragraph). The Conversion Agent shall notify the Trust of the Holder's election to exchange I-9 73 Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust and the Trust shall, upon receipt of such notice, deliver to the Conversion Agent the appropriate principal amount of Debentures for exchange in accordance with this Section. The Conversion Agent shall thereupon notify Kmart of the Holder's election to convert such Debentures into shares of Kmart's Common Stock. Holders of Securities at the close of business on a Distribution record date will be entitled to receive the Distribution payable on such securities on the corresponding Distribution payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities following such record date but prior to such distribution payment date. Except as provided above, neither the Trust nor the Sponsor will make, or be required to make, any payment, allowance or adjustment upon any conversion on account of any accumulated and unpaid Distributions accrued on the Securities (including any Additional Amounts accrued thereon) surrendered for conversion, or on account of any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares of Kmart's Common Stock issued upon such conversion. Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which a Notice of Conversion relating to such Securities is received the Trust in accordance with the foregoing provision (the "Conversion Date"). The Person or Persons entitled to receive Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Kmart's Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date, Kmart shall issue and deliver at the office of the Conversion Agent a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of any fraction of any share to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same, unless otherwise directed by the Holder in the notice of conversion and the Conversion Agent shall distribute such certificate or certificates to such Person or Persons. (c) Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof appoints The Bank of New York "Conversion Agent" for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities in accordance with this Section. In effecting the conversion and transactions described in this Section, the Conversion Agent shall be acting as agent of the Holders of Securities directing it to effect such conversion transactions. The Conversion Agent is hereby authorized (i) to exchange Securities from time to time for Debentures held by the Trust in connection with the conversion of such Securities in accordance with this Section and (ii) to convert all or a portion of the Debentures into Kmart's Common Stock and thereupon to deliver such shares of Kmart's Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section and to deliver to the Trust a new Debenture or Debentures for any resulting unconverted principal amount. I-10 74 (d) No fractional shares of Kmart's Common Stock will be issued as a result of conversion, but in lieu thereof, such fractional interest will be in cash by Kmart to the Trust, which in turn will make such payment to the Holder or Holders of Securities so converted. (e) Kmart shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Kmart Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Debentures, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, such number of shares of Kmart Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the Debentures then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Kmart shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of Debentures, shares of Kmart Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury of Kmart (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Kmart Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances. Any shares of Kmart Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Debentures shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Trust shall deliver the shares of Kmart Common Stock received upon conversion of the Debentures to the converting Holder free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests and encumbrances, except for United States withholding taxes. Each of Kmart and the Trust shall prepare and shall use its best efforts to obtain and keep in force such governmental or regulatory permits or other authorizations as may be required by law, and shall comply with all applicable requirements as to registration or qualification of Kmart Common Stock (and all requirements to list Kmart Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Debentures that are at the time applicable), in order to enable Kmart to lawfully issue Kmart Common Stock to the Trust upon conversion of the Debentures and the Trust to lawfully deliver Kmart Common Stock to each Holder upon conversion of the Securities. (f) Kmart will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock on conversion of Debentures and the delivery of the shares of Kmart Common Stock by the Trust upon conversion of the Securities. Kmart Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock in a name other than that in which the Securities so converted were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Trust the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Trust that such tax has been paid. (g) Nothing in the preceding Paragraph (f) shall limit the requirement of the Trust to withhold taxes pursuant to the terms of the Securities or set forth in this Annex I to the I-11 75 Declaration or to the Declaration itself or otherwise require the Institutional Trustee or the Trust to pay any amounts on account of such withholdings. 6. Voting Rights - Convertible Preferred Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred 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 the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ___ of 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 under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority of the Holders in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, (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 Convertible Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities under this paragraph 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Securities of such I-12 76 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. Any approval or direction of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Convertible Preferred Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. Notwithstanding that Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Convertible Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. 7. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 7(b), (c) and 8 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of 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 Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees. I-13 77 (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred 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 Section ____ of 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 that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (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. Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph 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, any Holder of 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 Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting I-14 78 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. 8. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular 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 dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 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 (but not on any other 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 Convertible Preferred 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 on 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 the consent of the holders of greater than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures (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; provided, further, that the Institutional Trustee I-15 79 shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) 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. 9. 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 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 outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Convertible Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding. 10. Ranking. The Convertible Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where a Declaration Event of Default occurs 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 Convertible Preferred Securities. 11. Listing. The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Convertible Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 12. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. I-16 80 13. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 14. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. I-17 81 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE [IF THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This Convertible Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary. This Convertible Preferred Security is exchangeable for Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances. Unless this Convertible Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Convertible Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.] Certificate Number Number of Convertible Preferred Securities CUSIP NO. [ ] Certificate Evidencing Convertible Preferred Securities of KMART FINANCING I ____% Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) Kmart Financing I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of convertible preferred securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets A1-1 82 of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to 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 Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Convertible Preferred Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of ___________ , 199__. Kmart Financing I By: _______________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A1-2 83 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Convertible Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ per Preferred 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on [March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on ______ __, 1996,] to [Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures.] The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A1-3 84 The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Debenture Issuer Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A1-4 85 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing I The undersigned owner of these Preferred Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Convertible Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A1-5 86 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ ______________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A1-6 87 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Security Certificate) A1-7 88 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE Certificate Number Number of Common Securities Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of KMART FINANCING I ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) Kmart Financing I a statutory business trust formed 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 designated the ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. A2-1 89 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of _____________, 199__. Kmart Financing I By:__________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A2-2 90 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. 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 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on _______ __, 1996,] to Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A2-3 91 The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Common Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Kmart Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A2-4 92 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing I The undersigned owner of these Common Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Common Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of March __, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Common Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A2-5 93 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ _____________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A2-6 94 _____________________ 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 Guarantee**:____________________________________________________ _______________ ** (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A2-7 95 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE B-1 96 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT C-1 EX-4.(H)(II) 3 EX-4.(H)(II) 1 EXHIBIT 4(h)(ii) ================================ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST KMART FINANCING II Dated as of March __, 1996 ================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.2 Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.3 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.4 Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees . . . . 17 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . 24 SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 3.15 Mergers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ARTICLE IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 i 3 Page ---- ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.10 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 33 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates . . . 39 SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. . . . . . 40 ii 4 PAGE ---- ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.3 Banking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.4 Withholding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. . . 52 SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. . . . . 53 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 14.2 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.4 Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.7 Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 iii 5 PAGE ---- ANNEX I TERMS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE. . . . A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 iv 6 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE* Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration ------------------- ----------- 310(a) .......................................... 5.3(a) 310(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 311(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 312(a) .......................................... 2.2(a) 312(b) .......................................... 2.2(b) 313 ............................................. 2.3 314(a) .......................................... 2.4 314(b) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(c) .......................................... 2.5 314(d) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(f) .......................................... Inapplicable 315(a) .......................................... 3.9(b) 315(c) .......................................... 3.9(a) 315(d) .......................................... 3.9(a) 316(a) .......................................... Annex I 316(c) .......................................... 3.6(e) _______________ * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. v 7 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF KMART FINANCING II March __, 1996 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of March __, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Kmart Financing II (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of February 16, 1996, (the "Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 16, 1996, 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; WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; WHEREAS, all of the Trustees 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 business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. 8 ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above 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 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. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person. "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. 2 9 "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Convertible Preferred Security Certificate. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Convertible Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Time" and each "Date of Delivery" under the Underwriting 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 specified in Section 7.1(a). "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities. "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "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 Regular Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Conversion Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2. "Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities. 3 10 "Convertible Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). "Convertible Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Convertible Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities. "Debenture Issuer" means Kmart Corporation in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "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 series of Debentures to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B. "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. 4 11 "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "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 __, 1996, among the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued. "Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 5.3. "Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "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 Annex I hereto. "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g). "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred 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 5 12 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. "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the Securities as set forth in Annex I. "Officers' Certificate" 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 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 3.8(h). "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. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of __________, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities. "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with respect to the offer and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only two Regular Trustees, both of them. 6 13 "Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor. "Responsible Officer" means, 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 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. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act. "Securities" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Convertible Preferred 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 Annex I hereto. "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Sponsor" means Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in SectionE2.6(a)(ii). "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto. "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more 7 14 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. "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). "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 Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering and sale of Convertible Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 8 15 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Institutional Trustee by the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section Section 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee. Within 60 days after May 1 of each year, the Institutional Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, 9 16 provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Convertible Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences, 10 17 provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Institutional Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. 11 18 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Institutional 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 Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default except: (i) a default under Sections ____ and ____ of the Indenture; or (ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named "Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV]" as such name may be modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of 12 19 Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office. SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) 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 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series of Convertible Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and, provided 13 20 further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date; (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to: (i) execute and file with the Commission the registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Convertible Preferred Securities; (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part of the Convertible Preferred Securities in any State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Convertible Preferred Securities for sale; (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; (iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and (v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities; (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities; (d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees shall consult with the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee before taking or 14 21 refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event; (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the Trust Indenture Act; (j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Regular Trustee; (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer agent for the Securities; (m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; 15 22 (o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders; and (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust. The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer. 16 23 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Institutional Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Trustees (including 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 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; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Amended and Restated Declaration or 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 more than an insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.8 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 Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may 17 24 hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. 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 Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Institutional Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee 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 Institutional Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Convertible Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature;and (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (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. 18 25 (e) The Institutional Trustee shall take any 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of 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 5.7. (g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee shall, 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 the terms of such Securities. (h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any 19 26 time and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Institutional Trustee. (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set forth in Section 3.6. The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. (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 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, 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) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the state- 20 27 ments and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Institutional Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; (ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) 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 Securities 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; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee 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; (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; 21 28 (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Institutional Trustee Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and (viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Direction or an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees; (iv) 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 registration thereof; (v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts and the advice or opinion of such 22 29 counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. 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; (vi) 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 Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) 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; (vii) 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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Institutional Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Institutional 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 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 23 30 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; (x) 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 Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance with such instructions; and (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration. (b) 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 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is authorized to execute 24 31 on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6; provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date. SECTION 3.15 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 3.15(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Convertible Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Convertible Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; 25 32 (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Sponsor 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 new entity); and (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 26 33 (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantees. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(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 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 IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Convertible Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto; (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Convertible Preferred 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; (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; 27 34 (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Parent (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Institutional Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. SECTION 5.2 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 28 35 (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, provided that, if the Institutional Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Institutional Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 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; 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Institutional Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (d) The Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 29 36 (e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Institutional Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees. The initial Regular Trustees shall be: Marvin P. Rich James P. Churilla (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee. (b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6, provided, that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6, including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees; and (c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York (Delaware) SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. 30 37 (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Sponsor; and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Institutional Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Institutional Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such 31 38 appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional Trustee as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (f) 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. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. SECTION 5.9 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 annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. 32 39 If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee. Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours 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 Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular 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. Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation 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 corporation 33 40 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 corporation 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 corporation 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 VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Convertible Preferred 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 Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium 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 VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of convertible preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Convertible Preferred Securities") and one class of convertible 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 Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed 34 41 any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee 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 Regular Trustee; 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 the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. (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 Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent. In the event that the Convertible Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Convertible Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent). The Trust shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion Agent"). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent and the term "Conversion Agent" includes any additional conversion agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Institu- 35 42 tional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Common Securities. The Trust initially appoints the Institutional Trustee as Conversion Agent for the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust; (iv) 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; (v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; (vi) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all Securities Holders upon conversion of all outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities; or (vii) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 36 43 (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the termination of the Trust. ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) Subject to this Article IX, Convertible Preferred Securities shall be freely transferable. (c) Subject to this Article IX, the Sponsor and any Related Party may only transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the Sponsor; provided that, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the transferee would become an Investment Company. SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates. The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each trans- 37 44 feree shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees 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 shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Convertible Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more, fully registered, global Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificate representing such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7: (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners; (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and 38 45 (d) the rights of the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants. SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates. If: (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to Section 9.6; or (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, then: (c) Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the Regular Trustees on 39 46 behalf of the Trust with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities; and (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause Definitive Certificates to be delivered to Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Convertible Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If: (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees 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, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute 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 9.8, the Regular Trustees 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. 40 47 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and (ii) be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of 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 Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred 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 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the as- 41 48 sets, liabilities, profits,losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of as-sets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or 42 49 (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably 43 50 entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with 44 51 respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Convertible Preferred Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Convertible Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company 45 52 Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Institutional Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. SECTION 10.5 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. No 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. 46 53 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular Trustees. (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared 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; (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust. (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev- 47 54 er, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Institutional Trustee Account. SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees 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 Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee; and 48 55 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee; (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, 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 (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to: (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; 49 56 (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities and; (f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; and (g) notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended without the consent of the Holders of the 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; (iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 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; and (v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of the Amended Declaration to such extent as may be necessary. SECTION 12.2 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 Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities 50 57 wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of Securities: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of 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 Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of 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 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 Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees; (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 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; 51 58 (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, 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 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. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 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: (a) the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association 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, the Declaration; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless 52 59 of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Articles of Organization 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 the Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, 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, the Declaration. (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (c) 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 the 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 State of Delaware. 53 60 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees 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): Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV] c/o Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________________ (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) 23 White Clay Center Route 273 Newark, Delaware 19711 Attention: Corporate Trust Department (c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office to the attention of ______________ (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities). (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:________________ (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 54 61 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 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. SECTION 14.3 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 14.4 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 14.5 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 so expressed. SECTION 14.6 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 14.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same 55 62 force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 56 63 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written. _______________________________ Marvin P. Rich, as Regular Trustee _______________________________ James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustee The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor By:____________________________ Name: Title: 57 64 ANNEX I TERMS OF ___% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES ___% CONVERTIBLE COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March __, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Convertible Preferred 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 or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below): 1. Designation and Number. (a) Convertible Preferred Securities. [ ] Convertible Preferred Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per convertible preferred security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities" (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Convertible Preferred Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed. (b) Common Securities. [ ] Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per common security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "______% Convertible Trust Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. I-1 65 2. Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from March __, 1996, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1 of each year, commencing on July 1, 1996, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of I-2 66 the Trust on the relevant record dates. While the Convertible Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the Convertible Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated______, 1996, to the Prospectus dated ______, 1996 (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor, the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Convertible Preferred Securities. If the Convertible Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Convertible Preferred Securities, shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. 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, 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 date. (d) In the event of an election by the Holder to convert its Securities through the Conversion Agent into Kmart's Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Securities as set forth in this Annex I to the Declaration, no payment, allowance or adjustment shall be made with respect to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities, or be required to be made; provided that Holders of Securities at the close of business on any record date for the payment of Distributions will be entitled to receive the Distributions payable on such Securities on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities into Kmart's Common Stock following such record date. I-3 67 (e) 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 any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or termination, 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, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities. If, upon any such dissolution, 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 the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Special Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption, payable in cash as set forth below (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption. Except in connection with a Special Event, the Securities may not be redeemed by the Trust prior to April 1, 1999. On or after such date, the Trust may, at its option, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, out of the proceeds received by the Trust from the prepayment or repayment by Kmart of the principal on the Debentures, at any time or from time to time during the twelve month periods beginning on April 1 in each of the following years at the following redemption prices, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date:
Year Redemption Price 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 and thereafter
If a partial redemption of the Securities resulting from a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the delisitng of the Securities, Kmart may only redeem the Debentures in whole. (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Convertible Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Convertible Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. I-4 68 (c) If, at any time, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, as defined below, a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of Debentures, and provided, further, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture Issuer the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, the Sponsor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution. If in the event of a Tax Event (i) after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Debenture Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even after the Debentures were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, and, following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture I-5 69 Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day period, the Tax Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption. "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, 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 therefor or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after, the first date of issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable in cash by the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority on or after the first date of the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which the Securities are offered (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing Convertible Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Convertible Preferred Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissue. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions I-6 70 have been paid on all Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption. (e) If the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as the Convertible Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures. (f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures for Redemption by the Trust." (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder 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(f)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Convertible Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, with respect to the Convertible Preferred I-7 71 Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the Depository or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and will give the Depository irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Convertible Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee 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 the relevant 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, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, distributions will cease to 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 Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) 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 Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue 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. (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Deposito- I-8 72 ry or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holder 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), provided 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 Convertible Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. (g) If at any time there occurs a Fundamental Change (as defined below), each Holder of the Securities shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Trust to redeem all (and not less than all) of such Holder's Securities in cash on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of Kmart's notice of such Fundamental Change referred to below. In such event, the Trust shall redeem the Securities at a price per Security equal to (i) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1996, (ii) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1997, (iii) $______ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1998, and (iv) thereafter at the redemption price which would be applicable to a redemption at the option of the Trust on the Repurchase Date; provided that if the Applicable Price (as defined below) is less than the Reference Market Price (as defined below), the Trust shall redeem such Convertible Preferred Securities at a price equal to the foregoing redemption price multiplied by the fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market Price. In each case, the Trust shall also pay accrued distributions on the Securities to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided that, if such Repurchase Date is a distribution payment date, then the distribution payable on such date shall be paid to the Holder of record on the relevant record date. The Trust will have corresponding rights to redeem the Debentures. The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or events in connection with which all or substantially all of the Kmart Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute the right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common stock which is (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be) listed on a United States national securities exchange or approved for quotation on Nasdaq National Market or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices. The term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change in which the Holders of Kmart Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by the Holder of one share of Kmart Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other Fundamental Change, the average of the last reported executed trade price (regular way) for the Kmart Common stock during the ten trading days prior to the record date for the determination of the Holders of Kmart Common Stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change, or, if no such record date exists, the date upon which the Holders of the Kmart Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change. The term "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $ which is equal to 66 2/3% of the price of Kmart Common Stock as of the date hereof. In the event of any adjustment to the conversion rate, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the Reference Market Price, after giving effect to any such adjustment, shall equal the Market Reference Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate after such adjustment. On or before the 10th day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Trust shall mail to all Holders of record of the Securities a notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption rights arising as a result thereof. The Trust shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Institutional Trustee. To exercise the redemption right, on or before the Repurchase Date Holders of the Securities must deliver written notice to the Institutional Trustee, as Conversion Agent, of the Holders' exercise of such right. Payment for Securities surrendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) prior to the Repurchase Date will be made promptly following the Repurchase Date. Subject to the requirements of DTC, the redemption rights associated with Securities may be exercised by the presentation to the Institutional Trustee of one or more redemption notices duly completed by or on behalf of the participant of DTC or any clearing system in which the relevant Convertible Preferred Security is held at such time with an interest in such Security and, if required, payment of any transfer or similar taxes (other than those described above). Surrender of any global certificate to the Institutional Trustee shall not be required. 5. Conversion Rights. The Holders of Securities shall have the right at any time, at their option, to cause the Conversion Agent to convert Securities, on behalf of the converting Holders, into shares of Kmart's Common Stock in the manner described herein on and subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) The Securities will be convertible at the office of the Conversion Agent into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock pursuant to the Holder's direction to the Conversion Agent to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures theretofore held by the Trust on the basis of one Security per $__ principal amount of Debentures, and immediately convert such amount of Debentures into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock at an initial rate of ________ shares of Kmart Common Stock per $__ principal amount of Debentures (which is equivalent to a conversion price of $______ per share of Kmart Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the terms of the Debentures (as so adjusted, "Conversion Price")). (b) In order to convert Securities into Kmart's Common Stock the Holder shall submit to the Conversion Agent at the office referred to above an irrevocable request to convert Securities on behalf of such Holder (the "Conversion Request"), together, if the Securities are in certificated form, with such certificates. The Conversion Request shall (i) set forth the number of Securities to be converted and the name or names, if other than the Holder, in which the shares of Kmart's Common Stock should be issued and (ii) direct the Conversion Agent (a) to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the preceding paragraph) and (b) to immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of such Holder, into Kmart's Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the preceding paragraph). The Conversion Agent shall notify the Trust of the Holder's election to exchange I-9 73 Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust and the Trust shall, upon receipt of such notice, deliver to the Conversion Agent the appropriate principal amount of Debentures for exchange in accordance with this Section. The Conversion Agent shall thereupon notify Kmart of the Holder's election to convert such Debentures into shares of Kmart's Common Stock. Holders of Securities at the close of business on a Distribution record date will be entitled to receive the Distribution payable on such securities on the corresponding Distribution payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities following such record date but prior to such distribution payment date. Except as provided above, neither the Trust nor the Sponsor will make, or be required to make, any payment, allowance or adjustment upon any conversion on account of any accumulated and unpaid Distributions accrued on the Securities (including any Additional Amounts accrued thereon) surrendered for conversion, or on account of any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares of Kmart's Common Stock issued upon such conversion. Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which a Notice of Conversion relating to such Securities is received the Trust in accordance with the foregoing provision (the "Conversion Date"). The Person or Persons entitled to receive Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Kmart's Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date, Kmart shall issue and deliver at the office of the Conversion Agent a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of any fraction of any share to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same, unless otherwise directed by the Holder in the notice of conversion and the Conversion Agent shall distribute such certificate or certificates to such Person or Persons. (c) Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof appoints The Bank of New York "Conversion Agent" for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities in accordance with this Section. In effecting the conversion and transactions described in this Section, the Conversion Agent shall be acting as agent of the Holders of Securities directing it to effect such conversion transactions. The Conversion Agent is hereby authorized (i) to exchange Securities from time to time for Debentures held by the Trust in connection with the conversion of such Securities in accordance with this Section and (ii) to convert all or a portion of the Debentures into Kmart's Common Stock and thereupon to deliver such shares of Kmart's Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section and to deliver to the Trust a new Debenture or Debentures for any resulting unconverted principal amount. I-10 74 (d) No fractional shares of Kmart's Common Stock will be issued as a result of conversion, but in lieu thereof, such fractional interest will be in cash by Kmart to the Trust, which in turn will make such payment to the Holder or Holders of Securities so converted. (e) Kmart shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Kmart Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Debentures, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, such number of shares of Kmart Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the Debentures then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Kmart shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of Debentures, shares of Kmart Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury of Kmart (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Kmart Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances. Any shares of Kmart Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Debentures shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Trust shall deliver the shares of Kmart Common Stock received upon conversion of the Debentures to the converting Holder free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests and encumbrances, except for United States withholding taxes. Each of Kmart and the Trust shall prepare and shall use its best efforts to obtain and keep in force such governmental or regulatory permits or other authorizations as may be required by law, and shall comply with all applicable requirements as to registration or qualification of Kmart Common Stock (and all requirements to list Kmart Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Debentures that are at the time applicable), in order to enable Kmart to lawfully issue Kmart Common Stock to the Trust upon conversion of the Debentures and the Trust to lawfully deliver Kmart Common Stock to each Holder upon conversion of the Securities. (f) Kmart will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock on conversion of Debentures and the delivery of the shares of Kmart Common Stock by the Trust upon conversion of the Securities. Kmart Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock in a name other than that in which the Securities so converted were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Trust the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Trust that such tax has been paid. (g) Nothing in the preceding Paragraph (f) shall limit the requirement of the Trust to withhold taxes pursuant to the terms of the Securities or set forth in this Annex I to the I-11 75 Declaration or to the Declaration itself or otherwise require the Institutional Trustee or the Trust to pay any amounts on account of such withholdings. 6. Voting Rights - Convertible Preferred Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred 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 the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ___ of 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 under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority of the Holders in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, (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 Convertible Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities under this paragraph 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Securities of such I-12 76 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. Any approval or direction of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Convertible Preferred Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. Notwithstanding that Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Convertible Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. 7. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 7(b), (c) and 8 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of 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 Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees. I-13 77 (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred 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 Section ____ of 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 that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (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. Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph 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, any Holder of 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 Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting I-14 78 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. 8. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular 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 dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 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 (but not on any other 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 Convertible Preferred 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 on 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 the consent of the holders of greater than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures (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; provided, further, that the Institutional Trustee I-15 79 shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) 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. 9. 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 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 outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Convertible Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding. 10. Ranking. The Convertible Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where a Declaration Event of Default occurs 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 Convertible Preferred Securities. 11. Listing. The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Convertible Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 12. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. I-16 80 13. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 14. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. I-17 81 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE [IF THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This Convertible Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary. This Convertible Preferred Security is exchangeable for Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances. Unless this Convertible Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Convertible Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.] Certificate Number Number of Convertible Preferred Securities CUSIP NO. [ ] Certificate Evidencing Convertible Preferred Securities of KMART FINANCING II ____% Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) Kmart Financing II, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of convertible preferred securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets A1-1 82 of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to 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 Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Convertible Preferred Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of ___________ , 199__. Kmart Financing II By: _______________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A1-2 83 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Convertible Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ per Preferred 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on [March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on ______ __, 1996,] to [Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures.] The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A1-3 84 The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Debenture Issuer Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A1-4 85 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing II The undersigned owner of these Preferred Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Convertible Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A1-5 86 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ ______________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A1-6 87 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Security Certificate) A1-7 88 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE Certificate Number Number of Common Securities Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of KMART FINANCING II ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) Kmart Financing II a statutory business trust formed 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 designated the ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. A2-1 89 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of _____________, 199__. Kmart Financing II By:__________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A2-2 90 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. 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 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on _______ __, 1996,] to Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A2-3 91 The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Common Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Kmart Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A2-4 92 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing II The undersigned owner of these Common Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Common Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of March __, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Common Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A2-5 93 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ _____________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A2-6 94 _____________________ 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 Guarantee**:____________________________________________________ _______________ ** (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A2-7 95 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE B-1 96 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT C-1 EX-4.(H)(III) 4 EX-4.(H)(III) 1 EXHIBIT 4(h)(iii) ================================ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST KMART FINANCING III as of March __, 1996 ================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.2 Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.3 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.4 Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees . . . . 17 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . 24 SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 3.15 Mergers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ARTICLE IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 i 3 Page ---- ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.10 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 33 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates . . . 39 SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. . . . . . 40 ii 4 PAGE ---- ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.3 Banking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.4 Withholding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. . . 52 SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. . . . . 53 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 14.2 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.4 Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.7 Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 iii 5 PAGE ---- ANNEX I TERMS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE. . . . A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 iv 6 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE* Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration ------------------- ----------- 310(a) .......................................... 5.3(a) 310(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 311(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 312(a) .......................................... 2.2(a) 312(b) .......................................... 2.2(b) 313 ............................................. 2.3 314(a) .......................................... 2.4 314(b) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(c) .......................................... 2.5 314(d) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(f) .......................................... Inapplicable 315(a) .......................................... 3.9(b) 315(c) .......................................... 3.9(a) 315(d) .......................................... 3.9(a) 316(a) .......................................... Annex I 316(c) .......................................... 3.6(e) _______________ * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. v 7 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF KMART FINANCING III March __, 1996 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of March __, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Kmart Financing III (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of February 16, 1996, (the "Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 16, 1996, 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; WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; WHEREAS, all of the Trustees 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 business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. 8 ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above 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 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. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person. "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. 2 9 "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Convertible Preferred Security Certificate. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Convertible Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Time" and each "Date of Delivery" under the Underwriting 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 specified in Section 7.1(a). "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities. "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "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 Regular Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Conversion Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2. "Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities. 3 10 "Convertible Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). "Convertible Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Convertible Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities. "Debenture Issuer" means Kmart Corporation in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "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 series of Debentures to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B. "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. 4 11 "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "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 __, 1996, among the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued. "Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 5.3. "Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "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 Annex I hereto. "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g). "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred 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 5 12 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. "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the Securities as set forth in Annex I. "Officers' Certificate" 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 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 3.8(h). "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. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of __________, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities. "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with respect to the offer and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only two Regular Trustees, both of them. 6 13 "Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor. "Responsible Officer" means, 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 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. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act. "Securities" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Convertible Preferred 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 Annex I hereto. "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Sponsor" means Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in SectionE2.6(a)(ii). "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto. "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more 7 14 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. "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). "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 Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering and sale of Convertible Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 8 15 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Institutional Trustee by the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section Section 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee. Within 60 days after May 1 of each year, the Institutional Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, 9 16 provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Convertible Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences, 10 17 provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Institutional Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. 11 18 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Institutional 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 Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default except: (i) a default under Sections ____ and ____ of the Indenture; or (ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named "Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV]" as such name may be modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of 12 19 Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office. SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) 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 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series of Convertible Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and, provided 13 20 further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date; (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to: (i) execute and file with the Commission the registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Convertible Preferred Securities; (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part of the Convertible Preferred Securities in any State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Convertible Preferred Securities for sale; (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; (iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and (v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities; (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities; (d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees shall consult with the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee before taking or 14 21 refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event; (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the Trust Indenture Act; (j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Regular Trustee; (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer agent for the Securities; (m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; 15 22 (o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders; and (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust. The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer. 16 23 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Institutional Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Trustees (including 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 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; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Amended and Restated Declaration or 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 more than an insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.8 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 Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may 17 24 hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. 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 Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Institutional Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee 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 Institutional Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Convertible Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature;and (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (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. 18 25 (e) The Institutional Trustee shall take any 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of 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 5.7. (g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee shall, 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 the terms of such Securities. (h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any 19 26 time and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Institutional Trustee. (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set forth in Section 3.6. The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. (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 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, 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) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the state- 20 27 ments and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Institutional Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; (ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) 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 Securities 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; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee 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; (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; 21 28 (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Institutional Trustee Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and (viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Direction or an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees; (iv) 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 registration thereof; (v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts and the advice or opinion of such 22 29 counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. 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; (vi) 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 Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) 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; (vii) 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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Institutional Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Institutional 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 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 23 30 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; (x) 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 Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance with such instructions; and (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration. (b) 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 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is authorized to execute 24 31 on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6; provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date. SECTION 3.15 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 3.15(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Convertible Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Convertible Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; 25 32 (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Sponsor 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 new entity); and (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 26 33 (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantees. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(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 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 IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Convertible Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto; (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Convertible Preferred 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; (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; 27 34 (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Parent (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Institutional Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. SECTION 5.2 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 28 35 (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, provided that, if the Institutional Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Institutional Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 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; 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Institutional Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (d) The Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 29 36 (e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Institutional Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees. The initial Regular Trustees shall be: Marvin P. Rich James P. Churilla (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee. (b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6, provided, that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6, including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees; and (c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York (Delaware) SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. 30 37 (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Sponsor; and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Institutional Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Institutional Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such 31 38 appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional Trustee as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (f) 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. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. SECTION 5.9 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 annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. 32 39 If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee. Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours 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 Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular 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. Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation 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 corporation 33 40 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 corporation 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 corporation 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 VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Convertible Preferred 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 Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium 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 VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of convertible preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Convertible Preferred Securities") and one class of convertible 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 Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed 34 41 any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee 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 Regular Trustee; 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 the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. (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 Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent. In the event that the Convertible Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Convertible Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent). The Trust shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion Agent"). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent and the term "Conversion Agent" includes any additional conversion agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Institu- 35 42 tional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Common Securities. The Trust initially appoints the Institutional Trustee as Conversion Agent for the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust; (iv) 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; (v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; (vi) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all Securities Holders upon conversion of all outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities; or (vii) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 36 43 (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the termination of the Trust. ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) Subject to this Article IX, Convertible Preferred Securities shall be freely transferable. (c) Subject to this Article IX, the Sponsor and any Related Party may only transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the Sponsor; provided that, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the transferee would become an Investment Company. SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates. The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each trans- 37 44 feree shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees 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 shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Convertible Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more, fully registered, global Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificate representing such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7: (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners; (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and 38 45 (d) the rights of the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants. SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates. If: (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to Section 9.6; or (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, then: (c) Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the Regular Trustees on 39 46 behalf of the Trust with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities; and (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause Definitive Certificates to be delivered to Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Convertible Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If: (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees 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, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute 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 9.8, the Regular Trustees 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. 40 47 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and (ii) be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of 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 Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred 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 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the as- 41 48 sets, liabilities, profits,losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of as-sets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or 42 49 (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably 43 50 entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with 44 51 respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Convertible Preferred Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Convertible Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company 45 52 Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Institutional Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. SECTION 10.5 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. No 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. 46 53 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular Trustees. (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared 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; (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust. (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev- 47 54 er, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Institutional Trustee Account. SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees 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 Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee; and 48 55 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee; (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, 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 (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to: (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; 49 56 (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities and; (f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; and (g) notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended without the consent of the Holders of the 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; (iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 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; and (v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of the Amended Declaration to such extent as may be necessary. SECTION 12.2 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 Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities 50 57 wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of Securities: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of 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 Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of 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 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 Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees; (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 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; 51 58 (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, 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 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. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 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: (a) the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association 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, the Declaration; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless 52 59 of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Articles of Organization 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 the Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, 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, the Declaration. (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (c) 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 the 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 State of Delaware. 53 60 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees 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): Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV] c/o Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________________ (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) 23 White Clay Center Route 273 Newark, Delaware 19711 Attention: Corporate Trust Department (c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office to the attention of ______________ (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities). (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:________________ (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 54 61 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 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. SECTION 14.3 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 14.4 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 14.5 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 so expressed. SECTION 14.6 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 14.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same 55 62 force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 56 63 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written. _______________________________ Marvin P. Rich, as Regular Trustee _______________________________ James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustee The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor By:____________________________ Name: Title: 57 64 ANNEX I TERMS OF ___% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES ___% CONVERTIBLE COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March __, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Convertible Preferred 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 or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below): 1. Designation and Number. (a) Convertible Preferred Securities. [ ] Convertible Preferred Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per convertible preferred security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities" (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Convertible Preferred Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed. (b) Common Securities. [ ] Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per common security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "______% Convertible Trust Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. I-1 65 2. Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from March __, 1996, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1 of each year, commencing on July 1, 1996, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of I-2 66 the Trust on the relevant record dates. While the Convertible Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the Convertible Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated______, 1996, to the Prospectus dated ______, 1996 (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor, the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Convertible Preferred Securities. If the Convertible Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Convertible Preferred Securities, shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. 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, 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 date. (d) In the event of an election by the Holder to convert its Securities through the Conversion Agent into Kmart's Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Securities as set forth in this Annex I to the Declaration, no payment, allowance or adjustment shall be made with respect to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities, or be required to be made; provided that Holders of Securities at the close of business on any record date for the payment of Distributions will be entitled to receive the Distributions payable on such Securities on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities into Kmart's Common Stock following such record date. I-3 67 (e) 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 any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or termination, 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, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities. If, upon any such dissolution, 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 the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Special Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption, payable in cash as set forth below (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption. Except in connection with a Special Event, the Securities may not be redeemed by the Trust prior to April 1, 1999. On or after such date, the Trust may, at its option, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, out of the proceeds received by the Trust from the prepayment or repayment by Kmart of the principal on the Debentures, at any time or from time to time during the twelve month periods beginning on April 1 in each of the following years at the following redemption prices, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date:
Year Redemption Price 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 and thereafter
If a partial redemption of the Securities resulting from a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the delisitng of the Securities, Kmart may only redeem the Debentures in whole. (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Convertible Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Convertible Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. I-4 68 (c) If, at any time, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, as defined below, a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of Debentures, and provided, further, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture Issuer the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, the Sponsor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution. If in the event of a Tax Event (i) after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Debenture Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even after the Debentures were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, and, following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture I-5 69 Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day period, the Tax Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption. "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, 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 therefor or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after, the first date of issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable in cash by the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority on or after the first date of the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which the Securities are offered (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing Convertible Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Convertible Preferred Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissue. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions I-6 70 have been paid on all Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption. (e) If the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as the Convertible Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures. (f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures for Redemption by the Trust." (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder 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(f)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Convertible Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, with respect to the Convertible Preferred I-7 71 Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the Depository or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and will give the Depository irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Convertible Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee 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 the relevant 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, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, distributions will cease to 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 Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) 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 Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue 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. (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Deposito- I-8 72 ry or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holder 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), provided 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 Convertible Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. (g) If at any time there occurs a Fundamental Change (as defined below), each Holder of the Securities shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Trust to redeem all (and not less than all) of such Holder's Securities in cash on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of Kmart's notice of such Fundamental Change referred to below. In such event, the Trust shall redeem the Securities at a price per Security equal to (i) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1996, (ii) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1997, (iii) $______ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1998, and (iv) thereafter at the redemption price which would be applicable to a redemption at the option of the Trust on the Repurchase Date; provided that if the Applicable Price (as defined below) is less than the Reference Market Price (as defined below), the Trust shall redeem such Convertible Preferred Securities at a price equal to the foregoing redemption price multiplied by the fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market Price. In each case, the Trust shall also pay accrued distributions on the Securities to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided that, if such Repurchase Date is a distribution payment date, then the distribution payable on such date shall be paid to the Holder of record on the relevant record date. The Trust will have corresponding rights to redeem the Debentures. The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or events in connection with which all or substantially all of the Kmart Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute the right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common stock which is (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be) listed on a United States national securities exchange or approved for quotation on Nasdaq National Market or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices. The term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change in which the Holders of Kmart Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by the Holder of one share of Kmart Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other Fundamental Change, the average of the last reported executed trade price (regular way) for the Kmart Common stock during the ten trading days prior to the record date for the determination of the Holders of Kmart Common Stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change, or, if no such record date exists, the date upon which the Holders of the Kmart Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change. The term "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $ which is equal to 66 2/3% of the price of Kmart Common Stock as of the date hereof. In the event of any adjustment to the conversion rate, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the Reference Market Price, after giving effect to any such adjustment, shall equal the Market Reference Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate after such adjustment. On or before the 10th day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Trust shall mail to all Holders of record of the Securities a notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption rights arising as a result thereof. The Trust shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Institutional Trustee. To exercise the redemption right, on or before the Repurchase Date Holders of the Securities must deliver written notice to the Institutional Trustee, as Conversion Agent, of the Holders' exercise of such right. Payment for Securities surrendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) prior to the Repurchase Date will be made promptly following the Repurchase Date. Subject to the requirements of DTC, the redemption rights associated with Securities may be exercised by the presentation to the Institutional Trustee of one or more redemption notices duly completed by or on behalf of the participant of DTC or any clearing system in which the relevant Convertible Preferred Security is held at such time with an interest in such Security and, if required, payment of any transfer or similar taxes (other than those described above). Surrender of any global certificate to the Institutional Trustee shall not be required. 5. Conversion Rights. The Holders of Securities shall have the right at any time, at their option, to cause the Conversion Agent to convert Securities, on behalf of the converting Holders, into shares of Kmart's Common Stock in the manner described herein on and subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) The Securities will be convertible at the office of the Conversion Agent into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock pursuant to the Holder's direction to the Conversion Agent to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures theretofore held by the Trust on the basis of one Security per $__ principal amount of Debentures, and immediately convert such amount of Debentures into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock at an initial rate of ________ shares of Kmart Common Stock per $__ principal amount of Debentures (which is equivalent to a conversion price of $______ per share of Kmart Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the terms of the Debentures (as so adjusted, "Conversion Price")). (b) In order to convert Securities into Kmart's Common Stock the Holder shall submit to the Conversion Agent at the office referred to above an irrevocable request to convert Securities on behalf of such Holder (the "Conversion Request"), together, if the Securities are in certificated form, with such certificates. The Conversion Request shall (i) set forth the number of Securities to be converted and the name or names, if other than the Holder, in which the shares of Kmart's Common Stock should be issued and (ii) direct the Conversion Agent (a) to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the preceding paragraph) and (b) to immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of such Holder, into Kmart's Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the preceding paragraph). The Conversion Agent shall notify the Trust of the Holder's election to exchange I-9 73 Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust and the Trust shall, upon receipt of such notice, deliver to the Conversion Agent the appropriate principal amount of Debentures for exchange in accordance with this Section. The Conversion Agent shall thereupon notify Kmart of the Holder's election to convert such Debentures into shares of Kmart's Common Stock. Holders of Securities at the close of business on a Distribution record date will be entitled to receive the Distribution payable on such securities on the corresponding Distribution payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities following such record date but prior to such distribution payment date. Except as provided above, neither the Trust nor the Sponsor will make, or be required to make, any payment, allowance or adjustment upon any conversion on account of any accumulated and unpaid Distributions accrued on the Securities (including any Additional Amounts accrued thereon) surrendered for conversion, or on account of any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares of Kmart's Common Stock issued upon such conversion. Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which a Notice of Conversion relating to such Securities is received the Trust in accordance with the foregoing provision (the "Conversion Date"). The Person or Persons entitled to receive Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Kmart's Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date, Kmart shall issue and deliver at the office of the Conversion Agent a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of any fraction of any share to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same, unless otherwise directed by the Holder in the notice of conversion and the Conversion Agent shall distribute such certificate or certificates to such Person or Persons. (c) Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof appoints The Bank of New York "Conversion Agent" for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities in accordance with this Section. In effecting the conversion and transactions described in this Section, the Conversion Agent shall be acting as agent of the Holders of Securities directing it to effect such conversion transactions. The Conversion Agent is hereby authorized (i) to exchange Securities from time to time for Debentures held by the Trust in connection with the conversion of such Securities in accordance with this Section and (ii) to convert all or a portion of the Debentures into Kmart's Common Stock and thereupon to deliver such shares of Kmart's Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section and to deliver to the Trust a new Debenture or Debentures for any resulting unconverted principal amount. I-10 74 (d) No fractional shares of Kmart's Common Stock will be issued as a result of conversion, but in lieu thereof, such fractional interest will be in cash by Kmart to the Trust, which in turn will make such payment to the Holder or Holders of Securities so converted. (e) Kmart shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Kmart Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Debentures, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, such number of shares of Kmart Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the Debentures then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Kmart shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of Debentures, shares of Kmart Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury of Kmart (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Kmart Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances. Any shares of Kmart Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Debentures shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Trust shall deliver the shares of Kmart Common Stock received upon conversion of the Debentures to the converting Holder free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests and encumbrances, except for United States withholding taxes. Each of Kmart and the Trust shall prepare and shall use its best efforts to obtain and keep in force such governmental or regulatory permits or other authorizations as may be required by law, and shall comply with all applicable requirements as to registration or qualification of Kmart Common Stock (and all requirements to list Kmart Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Debentures that are at the time applicable), in order to enable Kmart to lawfully issue Kmart Common Stock to the Trust upon conversion of the Debentures and the Trust to lawfully deliver Kmart Common Stock to each Holder upon conversion of the Securities. (f) Kmart will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock on conversion of Debentures and the delivery of the shares of Kmart Common Stock by the Trust upon conversion of the Securities. Kmart Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock in a name other than that in which the Securities so converted were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Trust the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Trust that such tax has been paid. (g) Nothing in the preceding Paragraph (f) shall limit the requirement of the Trust to withhold taxes pursuant to the terms of the Securities or set forth in this Annex I to the I-11 75 Declaration or to the Declaration itself or otherwise require the Institutional Trustee or the Trust to pay any amounts on account of such withholdings. 6. Voting Rights - Convertible Preferred Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred 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 the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ___ of 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 under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority of the Holders in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, (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 Convertible Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities under this paragraph 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Securities of such I-12 76 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. Any approval or direction of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Convertible Preferred Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. Notwithstanding that Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Convertible Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. 7. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 7(b), (c) and 8 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of 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 Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees. I-13 77 (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred 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 Section ____ of 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 that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (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. Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph 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, any Holder of 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 Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting I-14 78 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. 8. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular 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 dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 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 (but not on any other 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 Convertible Preferred 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 on 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 the consent of the holders of greater than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures (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; provided, further, that the Institutional Trustee I-15 79 shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) 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. 9. 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 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 outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Convertible Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding. 10. Ranking. The Convertible Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where a Declaration Event of Default occurs 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 Convertible Preferred Securities. 11. Listing. The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Convertible Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 12. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. I-16 80 13. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 14. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. I-17 81 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE [IF THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This Convertible Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary. This Convertible Preferred Security is exchangeable for Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances. Unless this Convertible Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Convertible Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.] Certificate Number Number of Convertible Preferred Securities CUSIP NO. [ ] Certificate Evidencing Convertible Preferred Securities of KMART FINANCING III ____% Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) Kmart Financing III, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of convertible preferred securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets A1-1 82 of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to 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 Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Convertible Preferred Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of ___________ , 199__. Kmart Financing III By: _______________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A1-2 83 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Convertible Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ per Preferred 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on [March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on ______ __, 1996,] to [Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures.] The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A1-3 84 The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Debenture Issuer Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A1-4 85 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing III The undersigned owner of these Preferred Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Convertible Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A1-5 86 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ ______________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A1-6 87 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Security Certificate) A1-7 88 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE Certificate Number Number of Common Securities Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of KMART FINANCING III ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) Kmart Financing III a statutory business trust formed 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 designated the ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. A2-1 89 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of _____________, 199__. Kmart Financing III By:__________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A2-2 90 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. 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 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on _______ __, 1996,] to Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A2-3 91 The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Common Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Kmart Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A2-4 92 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing III The undersigned owner of these Common Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Common Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of March __, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Common Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A2-5 93 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ _____________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A2-6 94 _____________________ 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 Guarantee**:____________________________________________________ _______________ ** (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A2-7 95 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE B-1 96 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT C-1 EX-4.(H)(IV) 5 EX-4.(H)(IV) 1 EXHIBIT 4(h)(iv) ================================ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST KMART FINANCING IV Dated as of March __, 1996 ================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.2 Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 3.3 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.4 Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees . . . . 17 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . 24 SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 3.15 Mergers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ARTICLE IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 i 3 Page ---- ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.10 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 33 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates . . . 39 SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. . . . . . 40 ii 4 PAGE ---- ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.3 Banking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 11.4 Withholding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. . . 52 SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. . . . . 53 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 14.2 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.4 Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.7 Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 iii 5 PAGE ---- ANNEX I TERMS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE. . . . A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 iv 6 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE* Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration ------------------- ----------- 310(a) .......................................... 5.3(a) 310(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 311(c) .......................................... Inapplicable 312(a) .......................................... 2.2(a) 312(b) .......................................... 2.2(b) 313 ............................................. 2.3 314(a) .......................................... 2.4 314(b) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(c) .......................................... 2.5 314(d) .......................................... Inapplicable 314(f) .......................................... Inapplicable 315(a) .......................................... 3.9(b) 315(c) .......................................... 3.9(a) 315(d) .......................................... 3.9(a) 316(a) .......................................... Annex I 316(c) .......................................... 3.6(e) _______________ * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. v 7 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF KMART FINANCING IV March __, 1996 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of March __, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Kmart Financing IV (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of February 16, 1996, (the "Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 16, 1996, 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; WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; WHEREAS, all of the Trustees 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 business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. 8 ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above 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 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. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person. "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. 2 9 "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Convertible Preferred Security Certificate. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Convertible Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Time" and each "Date of Delivery" under the Underwriting 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 specified in Section 7.1(a). "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities. "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "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 Regular Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Conversion Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2. "Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March __, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities. 3 10 "Convertible Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1. "Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). "Convertible Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Convertible Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities. "Debenture Issuer" means Kmart Corporation in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "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 series of Debentures to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B. "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. 4 11 "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "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 __, 1996, among the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued. "Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 5.3. "Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "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 Annex I hereto. "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g). "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred 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 5 12 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. "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the Securities as set forth in Annex I. "Officers' Certificate" 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 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 3.8(h). "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. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of __________, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities. "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with respect to the offer and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only two Regular Trustees, both of them. 6 13 "Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor. "Responsible Officer" means, 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 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. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act. "Securities" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Convertible Preferred 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 Annex I hereto. "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Sponsor" means Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in SectionE2.6(a)(ii). "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto. "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more 7 14 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. "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). "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 Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering and sale of Convertible Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 8 15 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Institutional Trustee by the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section Section 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee. Within 60 days after May 1 of each year, the Institutional Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, 9 16 provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Convertible Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences, 10 17 provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Institutional Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. 11 18 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Institutional 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 Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities. (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default except: (i) a default under Sections ____ and ____ of the Indenture; or (ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named "Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV]" as such name may be modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Kmart Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of 12 19 Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office. SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) 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 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series of Convertible Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and, provided 13 20 further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date; (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to: (i) execute and file with the Commission the registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Convertible Preferred Securities; (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part of the Convertible Preferred Securities in any State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Convertible Preferred Securities for sale; (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; (iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and (v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities; (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities; (d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees shall consult with the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee before taking or 14 21 refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event; (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the Trust Indenture Act; (j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Regular Trustee; (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer agent for the Securities; (m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; 15 22 (o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders; and (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust. The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer. 16 23 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Institutional Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Trustees (including 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 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; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Amended and Restated Declaration or 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 more than an insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.8 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 Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may 17 24 hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. 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 Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Institutional Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee 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 Institutional Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Convertible Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature;and (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (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. 18 25 (e) The Institutional Trustee shall take any 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of 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 5.7. (g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee shall, 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 the terms of such Securities. (h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any 19 26 time and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Institutional Trustee. (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set forth in Section 3.6. The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee. (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 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, 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) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the state- 20 27 ments and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Institutional Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; (ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) 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 Securities 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; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee 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; (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; 21 28 (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Institutional Trustee Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and (viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Direction or an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees; (iv) 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 registration thereof; (v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts and the advice or opinion of such 22 29 counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. 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; (vi) 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 Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) 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; (vii) 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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Institutional Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Institutional 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 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 23 30 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; (x) 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 Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance with such instructions; and (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration. (b) 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 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is authorized to execute 24 31 on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6; provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date. SECTION 3.15 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 3.15(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Convertible Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Convertible Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; 25 32 (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Sponsor 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 new entity); and (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 26 33 (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantees. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(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 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 IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 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 Convertible Preferred Securities are sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Convertible Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto; (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Convertible Preferred 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; (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Convertible Preferred Securities; 27 34 (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Convertible Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Parent (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Institutional Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. SECTION 5.2 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 28 35 (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, provided that, if the Institutional Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Institutional Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 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; 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Institutional Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (d) The Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 29 36 (e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Institutional Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees. The initial Regular Trustees shall be: Marvin P. Rich James P. Churilla (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee. (b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6, provided, that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6, including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular Trustees; and (c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: The Bank of New York (Delaware) SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. 30 37 (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Sponsor; and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Institutional Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Institutional Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such 31 38 appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional Trustee as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (f) 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. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. SECTION 5.9 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 annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. 32 39 If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee. Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours 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 Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular 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. Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation 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 corporation 33 40 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 corporation 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 corporation 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 VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Convertible Preferred 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 Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium 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 VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of convertible preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Convertible Preferred Securities") and one class of convertible 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 Convertible Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed 34 41 any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee 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 Regular Trustee; 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 the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. (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 Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent. In the event that the Convertible Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Convertible Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent). The Trust shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion Agent"). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent and the term "Conversion Agent" includes any additional conversion agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Institu- 35 42 tional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Common Securities. The Trust initially appoints the Institutional Trustee as Conversion Agent for the Convertible Preferred Securities. ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust; (iv) 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; (v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; (vi) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all Securities Holders upon conversion of all outstanding Convertible Preferred Securities; or (vii) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 36 43 (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the termination of the Trust. ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) Subject to this Article IX, Convertible Preferred Securities shall be freely transferable. (c) Subject to this Article IX, the Sponsor and any Related Party may only transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the Sponsor; provided that, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the transferee would become an Investment Company. SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates. The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each trans- 37 44 feree shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees 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 shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Convertible Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more, fully registered, global Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificate representing such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Convertible Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7: (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners; (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and 38 45 (d) the rights of the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants. SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Convertible Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.7 Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates. If: (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to Section 9.6; or (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities, then: (c) Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the Regular Trustees on 39 46 behalf of the Trust with respect to such Convertible Preferred Securities; and (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause Definitive Certificates to be delivered to Convertible Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Convertible Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If: (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees 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, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute 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 9.8, the Regular Trustees 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. 40 47 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and (ii) be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of 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 Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred 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 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the as- 41 48 sets, liabilities, profits,losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of as-sets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or 42 49 (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably 43 50 entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with 44 51 respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Convertible Preferred Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Convertible Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company 45 52 Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Institutional Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. SECTION 10.5 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. No 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. 46 53 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular Trustees. (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared 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; (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust. (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev- 47 54 er, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Institutional Trustee Account. SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees 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 Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee; and 48 55 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee; (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, 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 (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to: (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; 49 56 (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities and; (f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; and (g) notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended without the consent of the Holders of the 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; (iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 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; and (v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of the Amended Declaration to such extent as may be necessary. SECTION 12.2 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 Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees 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 Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities 50 57 wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of Securities: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of 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 Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of 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 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 Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees; (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 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; 51 58 (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, 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 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. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 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: (a) the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association 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, the Declaration; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless 52 59 of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Articles of Organization 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 the Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, 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, the Declaration. (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (c) 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 the 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 State of Delaware. 53 60 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees 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): Kmart Financing [I] [II] [III] [IV] c/o Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________________ (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) 23 White Clay Center Route 273 Newark, Delaware 19711 Attention: Corporate Trust Department (c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office to the attention of ______________ (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities). (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:________________ (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 54 61 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 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. SECTION 14.3 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 14.4 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 14.5 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 so expressed. SECTION 14.6 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 14.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same 55 62 force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 56 63 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written. _______________________________ Marvin P. Rich, as Regular Trustee _______________________________ James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustee The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee By:____________________________ Name: Title: Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor By:____________________________ Name: Title: 57 64 ANNEX I TERMS OF ___% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES ___% CONVERTIBLE COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March __, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Convertible Preferred 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 or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below): 1. Designation and Number. (a) Convertible Preferred Securities. [ ] Convertible Preferred Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per convertible preferred security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities" (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Convertible Preferred Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Convertible Preferred Securities are listed. (b) Common Securities. [ ] Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $__ per common security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "______% Convertible Trust Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. I-1 65 2. Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from March __, 1996, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1 of each year, commencing on July 1, 1996, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of I-2 66 the Trust on the relevant record dates. While the Convertible Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the Convertible Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated______, 1996, to the Prospectus dated ______, 1996 (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor, the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Convertible Preferred Securities. If the Convertible Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Convertible Preferred Securities, shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. 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, 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 date. (d) In the event of an election by the Holder to convert its Securities through the Conversion Agent into Kmart's Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Securities as set forth in this Annex I to the Declaration, no payment, allowance or adjustment shall be made with respect to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities, or be required to be made; provided that Holders of Securities at the close of business on any record date for the payment of Distributions will be entitled to receive the Distributions payable on such Securities on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities into Kmart's Common Stock following such record date. I-3 67 (e) 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 any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or termination, 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, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities. If, upon any such dissolution, 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 the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Special Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption, payable in cash as set forth below (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption. Except in connection with a Special Event, the Securities may not be redeemed by the Trust prior to April 1, 1999. On or after such date, the Trust may, at its option, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, out of the proceeds received by the Trust from the prepayment or repayment by Kmart of the principal on the Debentures, at any time or from time to time during the twelve month periods beginning on April 1 in each of the following years at the following redemption prices, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date:
Year Redemption Price 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 and thereafter
If a partial redemption of the Securities resulting from a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the delisitng of the Securities, Kmart may only redeem the Debentures in whole. (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Convertible Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Convertible Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. I-4 68 (c) If, at any time, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, as defined below, a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of Debentures, and provided, further, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture Issuer the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, the Sponsor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution. If in the event of a Tax Event (i) after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Debenture Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even after the Debentures were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, and, following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture I-5 69 Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day period, the Tax Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption. "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, 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 therefor or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after, the first date of issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable in cash by the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority on or after the first date of the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which the Securities are offered (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing Convertible Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Convertible Preferred Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissue. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions I-6 70 have been paid on all Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption. (e) If the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as the Convertible Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures. (f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures for Redemption by the Trust." (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder 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(f)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Convertible Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, with respect to the Convertible Preferred I-7 71 Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the Depository or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Convertible Preferred Securities and will give the Depository irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Convertible Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee 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 the relevant 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, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, distributions will cease to 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 Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) 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 Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue 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. (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Convertible Preferred Securities, the Deposito- I-8 72 ry or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Convertible Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holder 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), provided 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 Convertible Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. (g) If at any time there occurs a Fundamental Change (as defined below), each Holder of the Securities shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Trust to redeem all (and not less than all) of such Holder's Securities in cash on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of Kmart's notice of such Fundamental Change referred to below. In such event, the Trust shall redeem the Securities at a price per Security equal to (i) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1996, (ii) $____ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1997, (iii) $______ if the Repurchase Date is during the 12-month period beginning April 1, 1998, and (iv) thereafter at the redemption price which would be applicable to a redemption at the option of the Trust on the Repurchase Date; provided that if the Applicable Price (as defined below) is less than the Reference Market Price (as defined below), the Trust shall redeem such Convertible Preferred Securities at a price equal to the foregoing redemption price multiplied by the fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market Price. In each case, the Trust shall also pay accrued distributions on the Securities to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided that, if such Repurchase Date is a distribution payment date, then the distribution payable on such date shall be paid to the Holder of record on the relevant record date. The Trust will have corresponding rights to redeem the Debentures. The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or events in connection with which all or substantially all of the Kmart Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute the right to receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common stock which is (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be) listed on a United States national securities exchange or approved for quotation on Nasdaq National Market or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices. The term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change in which the Holders of Kmart Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by the Holder of one share of Kmart Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other Fundamental Change, the average of the last reported executed trade price (regular way) for the Kmart Common stock during the ten trading days prior to the record date for the determination of the Holders of Kmart Common Stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change, or, if no such record date exists, the date upon which the Holders of the Kmart Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change. The term "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $ which is equal to 66 2/3% of the price of Kmart Common Stock as of the date hereof. In the event of any adjustment to the conversion rate, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the Reference Market Price, after giving effect to any such adjustment, shall equal the Market Reference Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate after such adjustment. On or before the 10th day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Trust shall mail to all Holders of record of the Securities a notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the redemption rights arising as a result thereof. The Trust shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Institutional Trustee. To exercise the redemption right, on or before the Repurchase Date Holders of the Securities must deliver written notice to the Institutional Trustee, as Conversion Agent, of the Holders' exercise of such right. Payment for Securities surrendered for redemption (and not withdrawn) prior to the Repurchase Date will be made promptly following the Repurchase Date. Subject to the requirements of DTC, the redemption rights associated with Securities may be exercised by the presentation to the Institutional Trustee of one or more redemption notices duly completed by or on behalf of the participant of DTC or any clearing system in which the relevant Convertible Preferred Security is held at such time with an interest in such Security and, if required, payment of any transfer or similar taxes (other than those described above). Surrender of any global certificate to the Institutional Trustee shall not be required. 5. Conversion Rights. The Holders of Securities shall have the right at any time, at their option, to cause the Conversion Agent to convert Securities, on behalf of the converting Holders, into shares of Kmart's Common Stock in the manner described herein on and subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) The Securities will be convertible at the office of the Conversion Agent into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock pursuant to the Holder's direction to the Conversion Agent to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures theretofore held by the Trust on the basis of one Security per $__ principal amount of Debentures, and immediately convert such amount of Debentures into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Kmart Common Stock at an initial rate of ________ shares of Kmart Common Stock per $__ principal amount of Debentures (which is equivalent to a conversion price of $______ per share of Kmart Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the terms of the Debentures (as so adjusted, "Conversion Price")). (b) In order to convert Securities into Kmart's Common Stock the Holder shall submit to the Conversion Agent at the office referred to above an irrevocable request to convert Securities on behalf of such Holder (the "Conversion Request"), together, if the Securities are in certificated form, with such certificates. The Conversion Request shall (i) set forth the number of Securities to be converted and the name or names, if other than the Holder, in which the shares of Kmart's Common Stock should be issued and (ii) direct the Conversion Agent (a) to exchange such Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the preceding paragraph) and (b) to immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of such Holder, into Kmart's Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the preceding paragraph). The Conversion Agent shall notify the Trust of the Holder's election to exchange I-9 73 Securities for a portion of the Debentures held by the Trust and the Trust shall, upon receipt of such notice, deliver to the Conversion Agent the appropriate principal amount of Debentures for exchange in accordance with this Section. The Conversion Agent shall thereupon notify Kmart of the Holder's election to convert such Debentures into shares of Kmart's Common Stock. Holders of Securities at the close of business on a Distribution record date will be entitled to receive the Distribution payable on such securities on the corresponding Distribution payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such Securities following such record date but prior to such distribution payment date. Except as provided above, neither the Trust nor the Sponsor will make, or be required to make, any payment, allowance or adjustment upon any conversion on account of any accumulated and unpaid Distributions accrued on the Securities (including any Additional Amounts accrued thereon) surrendered for conversion, or on account of any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares of Kmart's Common Stock issued upon such conversion. Securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which a Notice of Conversion relating to such Securities is received the Trust in accordance with the foregoing provision (the "Conversion Date"). The Person or Persons entitled to receive Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Kmart's Common Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date, Kmart shall issue and deliver at the office of the Conversion Agent a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Kmart's Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of any fraction of any share to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same, unless otherwise directed by the Holder in the notice of conversion and the Conversion Agent shall distribute such certificate or certificates to such Person or Persons. (c) Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof appoints The Bank of New York "Conversion Agent" for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities in accordance with this Section. In effecting the conversion and transactions described in this Section, the Conversion Agent shall be acting as agent of the Holders of Securities directing it to effect such conversion transactions. The Conversion Agent is hereby authorized (i) to exchange Securities from time to time for Debentures held by the Trust in connection with the conversion of such Securities in accordance with this Section and (ii) to convert all or a portion of the Debentures into Kmart's Common Stock and thereupon to deliver such shares of Kmart's Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section and to deliver to the Trust a new Debenture or Debentures for any resulting unconverted principal amount. I-10 74 (d) No fractional shares of Kmart's Common Stock will be issued as a result of conversion, but in lieu thereof, such fractional interest will be in cash by Kmart to the Trust, which in turn will make such payment to the Holder or Holders of Securities so converted. (e) Kmart shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Kmart Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Debentures, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, such number of shares of Kmart Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the Debentures then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Kmart shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of Debentures, shares of Kmart Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury of Kmart (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Kmart Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances. Any shares of Kmart Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Debentures shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. The Trust shall deliver the shares of Kmart Common Stock received upon conversion of the Debentures to the converting Holder free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests and encumbrances, except for United States withholding taxes. Each of Kmart and the Trust shall prepare and shall use its best efforts to obtain and keep in force such governmental or regulatory permits or other authorizations as may be required by law, and shall comply with all applicable requirements as to registration or qualification of Kmart Common Stock (and all requirements to list Kmart Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Debentures that are at the time applicable), in order to enable Kmart to lawfully issue Kmart Common Stock to the Trust upon conversion of the Debentures and the Trust to lawfully deliver Kmart Common Stock to each Holder upon conversion of the Securities. (f) Kmart will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock on conversion of Debentures and the delivery of the shares of Kmart Common Stock by the Trust upon conversion of the Securities. Kmart Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Kmart Common Stock in a name other than that in which the Securities so converted were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Trust the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Trust that such tax has been paid. (g) Nothing in the preceding Paragraph (f) shall limit the requirement of the Trust to withhold taxes pursuant to the terms of the Securities or set forth in this Annex I to the I-11 75 Declaration or to the Declaration itself or otherwise require the Institutional Trustee or the Trust to pay any amounts on account of such withholdings. 6. Voting Rights - Convertible Preferred Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Convertible Preferred 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 the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ___ of 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 under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority of the Holders in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, (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 Convertible Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities under this paragraph 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 a Declaration 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Securities of such I-12 76 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 Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. Any approval or direction of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Convertible Preferred Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. Notwithstanding that Holders of Convertible Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Convertible Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. 7. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 7(b), (c) and 8 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of 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 Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees. I-13 77 (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of Default with respect to the Convertible Preferred 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 Section ____ of 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 that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (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. Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph 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, any Holder of 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 Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting I-14 78 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. 8. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular 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 dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 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 (but not on any other 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 Convertible Preferred 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 on 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 the consent of the holders of greater than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures (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; provided, further, that the Institutional Trustee I-15 79 shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) 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. 9. 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 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 outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Convertible Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Convertible Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Convertible Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Convertible Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding. 10. Ranking. The Convertible Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where a Declaration Event of Default occurs 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 Convertible Preferred Securities. 11. Listing. The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Convertible Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 12. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Convertible Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. I-16 80 13. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 14. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. I-17 81 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE [IF THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This Convertible Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary. This Convertible Preferred Security is exchangeable for Convertible Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Convertible Preferred Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances. Unless this Convertible Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Convertible Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.] Certificate Number Number of Convertible Preferred Securities CUSIP NO. [ ] Certificate Evidencing Convertible Preferred Securities of KMART FINANCING IV ____% Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) Kmart Financing IV, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of convertible preferred securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets A1-1 82 of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Convertible Preferred Securities (liquidation amount $__ per Convertible Preferred Security) (the "Convertible Preferred Securities"). The Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to 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 Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Convertible Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Convertible Preferred Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of ___________ , 199__. Kmart Financing IV By: _______________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A1-2 83 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Convertible Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ per Preferred 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on [March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on ______ __, 1996,] to [Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures.] The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A1-3 84 The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Convertible Preferred Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Debenture Issuer Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A1-4 85 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing IV The undersigned owner of these Preferred Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Convertible Preferred Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Convertible Preferred Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Convertible Preferred Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A1-5 86 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ ______________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A1-6 87 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred 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 Convertible Preferred Security Certificate) A1-7 88 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE Certificate Number Number of Common Securities Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of KMART FINANCING IV ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) Kmart Financing IV a statutory business trust formed 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 designated the ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. A2-1 89 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of _____________, 199__. Kmart Financing IV By:__________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A2-2 90 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $__ 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 quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest 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 quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. 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 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on _______ __, 1996,] to Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period") provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. A2-3 91 The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. The Common Securities shall be convertible into shares of Kmart Common Stock, through (i) the exchange of Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures and (ii) the immediate conversion of such Debentures into Kmart Common Stock, in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Declaration. A2-4 92 CONVERSION REQUEST To: The Bank of New York as Institutional Trustee of Kmart Financing IV The undersigned owner of these Common Securities hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert these Common Securities, or the portion below designated, into Common Stock of Kmart Corporation (the "Kmart Common Stock") in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of March __, 1996, by Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Kmart Corporation, as Sponsor, and by the Holders, from time to time, of individual beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to the Declaration. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of the option to convert these Common Securities, the undersigned hereby directs the Conversion Agent (as that term is defined in the Declaration) to (i) exchange such Common Securities for a portion of the Debentures (as that term is defined in the Declaration) held by the Trust (at the rate of exchange specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration) and (ii) immediately convert such Debentures on behalf of the undersigned, into Kmart Common Stock (at the conversion rate specified in the terms of the Common Securities set forth as Annex I to the Declaration). The undersigned does also hereby direct the Conversion Agent that the shares issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. A2-5 93 Date: ____________, ____ in whole __ in part __ Number of Preferred Securities to be converted: ___________________ If a name or names other than the undersigned, please indicate in the spaces below the name or names in which the shares of Kmart Common Stock are to be issued, along with the address or addresses of such person or persons _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature (for conversion only) Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Social Security or Other Identifying Number _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature Guarantee:*____________________________ _____________ * (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) A2-6 94 _____________________ 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 Guarantee**:____________________________________________________ _______________ ** (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is, a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A2-7 95 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE B-1 96 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT C-1 EX-4.(J)(I) 6 EX-4.(J)(I) 1 EXHIBIT 4(j)(i) ==================================== PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT Kmart Financing I Dated as of March __, 1996 ==================================== 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation................................. 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application............................... 5 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities................................. 5 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee..................... 6 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee................ 6 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............... 6 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver...................................... 6 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice....................................... 7 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.......................................... 7 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee .......... 7 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.................. 9 SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.......... 11 ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility....................... 12 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees............................................. 12 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee ..................................................... 13 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................... 13 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected....................................... 14 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.............................................. 15 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment........................................... 15 SECTION 5.6 Subrogation.................................................... 15 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations........................................ 15 3 Page ---- ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.................................... 16 SECTION 6.2 Ranking ...................................................... 16 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination................................................... 16 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation................................................... 17 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification............................................... 17 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns....................................... 18 SECTION 9.2 Amendments................................................... 18 SECTION 9.3 Notices...................................................... 18 SECTION 9.4 Benefit...................................................... 19 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law................................................ 19 ii 4 PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as of March __, 1996, is executed and delivered by Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of Kmart Financing I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, among the trustees of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof [ ] preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $[ ], designated the _____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein. WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. 5 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless other wise defined in this Preferred Securities 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. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York are authorized or required by any applicable law to close. "Common Securities" means the convertible common securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms 2 6 of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred Securities. "Debentures" means the series of convertible junior subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due [ ] held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price (the "Redemption Price"), and all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the conversion of all of the Trust Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred 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"). If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments. "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of 3 7 the requisite percentage of Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of ________, 1996, among the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, N.A., as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer. "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the 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 Preferred Securities. "Officers' Certificate" 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 in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' 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, 4 8 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. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee 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. "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and (b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee provided, that the 5 9 Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. 6 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and 7 11 is continuing, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (c) The Preferred Guarantee 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine 8 12 whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Preferred 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 Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established 9 13 before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (vii) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. 10 14 (viii) The Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the signature of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred 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. (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 11 15 ARTICLE IV Preferred Guarantee TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 4.1(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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. 12 16 (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any 13 17 right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 14 18 a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 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 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations 15 19 The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred an Event of Default or an event of default under the Declaration, then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security requiring the Guarantor to purchase shares of Common Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or, (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 of the Guarantor or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most senior Preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any Preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock. 16 20 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all of the Holders in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 8.2 Indemnification 17 21 The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in 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 the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval. SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street Floor 21 West 18 22 New York, New York 10286 Attention: (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 Preferred Securities): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________ (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 19 23 THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. Kmart Corporation, as Guarantor By:__________________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee By:__________________________________ Name: Title: 20 EX-4.(J)(II) 7 EX-4.(J)(II) 1 EXHIBIT 4(j)(ii) ==================================== PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT Kmart Financing II Dated as of March __, 1996 ==================================== 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation................................. 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application............................... 5 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities................................. 5 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee..................... 6 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee................ 6 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............... 6 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver...................................... 6 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice....................................... 7 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.......................................... 7 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee .......... 7 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.................. 9 SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.......... 11 ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility....................... 12 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees............................................. 12 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee ..................................................... 13 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................... 13 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected....................................... 14 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.............................................. 15 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment........................................... 15 SECTION 5.6 Subrogation.................................................... 15 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations........................................ 15 3 Page ---- ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.................................... 16 SECTION 6.2 Ranking ...................................................... 16 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination................................................... 16 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation................................................... 17 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification............................................... 17 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns....................................... 18 SECTION 9.2 Amendments................................................... 18 SECTION 9.3 Notices...................................................... 18 SECTION 9.4 Benefit...................................................... 19 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law................................................ 19 ii 4 PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as of March __, 1996, is executed and delivered by Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of Kmart Financing II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, among the trustees of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof [ ] preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $[ ], designated the _____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein. WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. 5 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless other wise defined in this Preferred Securities 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. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York are authorized or required by any applicable law to close. "Common Securities" means the convertible common securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms 2 6 of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred Securities. "Debentures" means the series of convertible junior subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due [ ] held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price (the "Redemption Price"), and all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the conversion of all of the Trust Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred 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"). If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments. "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of 3 7 the requisite percentage of Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of ________, 1996, among the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, N.A., as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer. "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the 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 Preferred Securities. "Officers' Certificate" 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 in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' 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, 4 8 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. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee 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. "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and (b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee provided, that the 5 9 Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. 6 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and 7 11 is continuing, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (c) The Preferred Guarantee 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine 8 12 whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Preferred 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 Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established 9 13 before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (vii) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. 10 14 (viii) The Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the signature of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred 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. (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 11 15 ARTICLE IV Preferred Guarantee TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 4.1(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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. 12 16 (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any 13 17 right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 14 18 a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 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 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations 15 19 The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred an Event of Default or an event of default under the Declaration, then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security requiring the Guarantor to purchase shares of Common Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or, (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 of the Guarantor or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most senior Preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any Preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock. 16 20 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all of the Holders in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 8.2 Indemnification 17 21 The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in 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 the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval. SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street Floor 21 West 18 22 New York, New York 10286 Attention: (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 Preferred Securities): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________ (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 19 23 THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. Kmart Corporation, as Guarantor By:__________________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee By:__________________________________ Name: Title: 20 EX-4.(J)(III) 8 EX-4.(J)(III) 1 EXHIBIT 4(j)(iii) ==================================== PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT Kmart Financing III Dated as of March __, 1996 ==================================== 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation................................. 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application............................... 5 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities................................. 5 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee..................... 6 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee................ 6 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............... 6 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver...................................... 6 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice....................................... 7 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.......................................... 7 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee .......... 7 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.................. 9 SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.......... 11 ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility....................... 12 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees............................................. 12 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee ..................................................... 13 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................... 13 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected....................................... 14 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.............................................. 15 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment........................................... 15 SECTION 5.6 Subrogation.................................................... 15 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations........................................ 15 3 Page ---- ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.................................... 16 SECTION 6.2 Ranking ...................................................... 16 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination................................................... 16 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation................................................... 17 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification............................................... 17 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns....................................... 18 SECTION 9.2 Amendments................................................... 18 SECTION 9.3 Notices...................................................... 18 SECTION 9.4 Benefit...................................................... 19 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law................................................ 19 ii 4 PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as of March __, 1996, is executed and delivered by Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of Kmart Financing III, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, among the trustees of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof [ ] preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $[ ], designated the _____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein. WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. 5 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless other wise defined in this Preferred Securities 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. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York are authorized or required by any applicable law to close. "Common Securities" means the convertible common securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms 2 6 of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred Securities. "Debentures" means the series of convertible junior subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due [ ] held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price (the "Redemption Price"), and all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the conversion of all of the Trust Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred 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"). If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments. "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of 3 7 the requisite percentage of Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of ________, 1996, among the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, N.A., as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer. "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the 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 Preferred Securities. "Officers' Certificate" 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 in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' 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, 4 8 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. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee 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. "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and (b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee provided, that the 5 9 Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. 6 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and 7 11 is continuing, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (c) The Preferred Guarantee 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine 8 12 whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Preferred 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 Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established 9 13 before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (vii) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. 10 14 (viii) The Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the signature of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred 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. (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 11 15 ARTICLE IV Preferred Guarantee TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 4.1(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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. 12 16 (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any 13 17 right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 14 18 a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 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 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations 15 19 The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred an Event of Default or an event of default under the Declaration, then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security requiring the Guarantor to purchase shares of Common Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or, (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 of the Guarantor or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most senior Preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any Preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock. 16 20 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all of the Holders in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 8.2 Indemnification 17 21 The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in 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 the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval. SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street Floor 21 West 18 22 New York, New York 10286 Attention: (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 Preferred Securities): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________ (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 19 23 THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. Kmart Corporation, as Guarantor By:__________________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee By:__________________________________ Name: Title: 20 EX-4.(J)(IV) 9 EX-4.(J)(IV) 1 EXHIBIT 4(j)(iv) ==================================== PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT Kmart Financing IV Dated as of March __, 1996 ==================================== 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation................................. 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application............................... 5 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities................................. 5 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee..................... 6 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee................ 6 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............... 6 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver...................................... 6 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice....................................... 7 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.......................................... 7 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee .......... 7 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.................. 9 SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.......... 11 ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility....................... 12 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees............................................. 12 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee ..................................................... 13 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................... 13 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected....................................... 14 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.............................................. 15 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment........................................... 15 SECTION 5.6 Subrogation.................................................... 15 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations........................................ 15 3 Page ---- ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions.................................... 16 SECTION 6.2 Ranking ...................................................... 16 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination................................................... 16 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation................................................... 17 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification............................................... 17 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns....................................... 18 SECTION 9.2 Amendments................................................... 18 SECTION 9.3 Notices...................................................... 18 SECTION 9.4 Benefit...................................................... 19 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law................................................ 19 ii 4 PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as of March __, 1996, is executed and delivered by Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of Kmart Financing IV, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of ________, 1996, among the trustees of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof [ ] preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $[ ], designated the _____% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein. WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. 5 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless other wise defined in this Preferred Securities 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. "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York are authorized or required by any applicable law to close. "Common Securities" means the convertible common securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms 2 6 of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred Securities. "Debentures" means the series of convertible junior subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the ___% Junior Subordinated Debentures due [ ] held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price (the "Redemption Price"), and all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the conversion of all of the Trust Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred 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"). If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments. "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of 3 7 the requisite percentage of Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of ________, 1996, among the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, N.A., as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer. "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the 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 Preferred Securities. "Officers' Certificate" 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 in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' 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, 4 8 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. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee 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. "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and (b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee provided, that the 5 9 Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. 6 10 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and 7 11 is continuing, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (c) The Preferred Guarantee 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine 8 12 whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Preferred 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 Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Preferred 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 Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established 9 13 before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (vii) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. 10 14 (viii) The Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the signature of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred 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. (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred 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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 11 15 ARTICLE IV Preferred Guarantee TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred 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 a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, 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 4.1(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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. 12 16 (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any 13 17 right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, 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 Preferred 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 Preferred 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 14 18 a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 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 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations 15 19 The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred an Event of Default or an event of default under the Declaration, then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security requiring the Guarantor to purchase shares of Common Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or, (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 of the Guarantor or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most senior Preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any Preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock. 16 20 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Guarantor's common stock to all of the Holders in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Securities into the Guarantor's common stock or upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 8.2 Indemnification 17 21 The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in 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 the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval. SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street Floor 21 West 18 22 New York, New York 10286 Attention: (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 Preferred Securities): Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Attention:__________ (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 19 23 THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. Kmart Corporation, as Guarantor By:__________________________________ Name: Title: The Bank of New York, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee By:__________________________________ Name: Title: 20 EX-5.(A) 10 EX-5.(A) 1 EXHIBIT 5(a) Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000 Detroit, Michigan 48226 March 22, 1996 Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Re: Kmart Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-3 Gentlemen: This opinion is furnished by us as counsel for Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the following securities of the Company with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $1,350,000,000 or the equivalent thereof, based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of sale, in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies as shall be designated by the Company: (i) senior or subordinated debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured, in one or more series (the "Debt Securities"), which may be issued under Indentures (the "Indenture" or "Indentures") proposed to be entered into between the Company and trustees to be named (the "Trustee" or "Trustees"); (ii) shares of preferred stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"), in one or more series, which may also be issued in the form of depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Receipts") pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each a "Deposit Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and a depositary to be named (the "Depositary"); (iii) shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company ("Common 2 Page 2 Stock"); (iv) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock or other securities of the Company as shall be designated by the Company at the time of offering issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each a "Warrant Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent to be named (the "Warrant Agent"); and (v) such indeterminate amount of Debt Securities and number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Warrants, including such shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering (the "Indeterminate Stock"). The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Common Stock, the Warrants, and the Indeterminate Stock are collectively referred to herein as the "Offered Securities." This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Items 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. We have examined and are familiar with originals or copies of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with this opinion, including (i) the form of Registration Statement relating to the Offered Securities; (ii) the forms of Indentures; (iii) the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended; (iv) the By-laws of the Company as currently in effect; and (v) resolutions adopted to date by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") relating to the registration of the Offered Securities. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents 3 Page 3 of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. We have assumed that the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement and the Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustees, the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, respectively, and that any Debt Securities, Receipts or Warrants that may be issued will be manually signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Trustees, the Depositary or the Warrant Agent, respectively. We are members of the Bar in the State of Michigan and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction other than the laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein. Insofar as the opinions set forth below relate to the Debt Securities and the Warrants as valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, we have relied solely upon an opinion letter of even date herewith from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, New York, New York, with respect to all matters of New York law related thereto. The Offered Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan. 4 Page 4 2. With respect to any series of Debt Securities (the "Offered Debt Securities"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective and the applicable Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vi) the applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company to the applicable Trustee; and (vii) the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, (1) the Offered Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding pur- 5 Page 5 chase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies, (d) the waiver of the usury defense contained in section 5.15 of the applicable Indenture may be unenforceable, (e) requirements that a claim with respect to any Offered Debt Securities denominated other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law, and (f) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies; and (2) if Preferred Stock or Common Stock is issuable upon conversion or exchange of any convertible Offered Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock or Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of such Offered Debt Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Offered Debt Securities and conversion or exchange of the Offered Debt Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture. 3. With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock, including, if applicable, Depositary Shares representing fractional interests in any Preferred Stock (together, the "Offered Preferred Stock"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the shares of the Offered 6 Page 6 Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of Michigan law (the "Certificate of Designation") in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; any amendment thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein; (v) the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Michigan Department of Commerce has duly occurred; (vi) the terms of the Offered Preferred Stock and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation including the Certificate of Designation relating to the Offered Preferred Stock and the By-laws of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vii) in the case of Depositary Shares, the Deposit Agreement in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein has been duly authorized, executed and delivered; and (viii) certificates representing the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor (and, in the case 7 Page 7 of Depositary Shares, such Preferred Stock certificates are delivered to the Depositary for deposit in accordance with the laws of the States of Michigan and New York against issuance of the Receipts in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (1) the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock duly issued upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and (2) if the Offered Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Offered Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Offered Preferred Stock and the conversion or exchange of the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation. 4. With respect to any Receipts (the "Offered Receipts"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Receipts has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Receipts are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Receipts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Receipts and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Receipts and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Deposit 8 Page 8 Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vi) the Deposit Agreement relating to the Offered Receipts in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; and (vii) the Offered Receipts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and duly issued and sold in the applicable form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, the Offered Receipts, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement and the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies. 5. With respect to any offering of Common Stock, when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Common Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in 9 Page 9 compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Common Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Common Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of the Common Stock and related matters; (v) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock are duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of the agreed upon consideration therefor, the shares of Common Stock (including any duly issued upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement with respect to the Common Stock or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than the par value thereof. 6. With respect to any series of Warrants (the "Offered Warrants"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the 10 Page 10 Offered Warrants are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Warrants and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vi) the Warrant Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; and (vii) the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement and duly issued and sold in the applicable form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights 11 Page 11 generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission. Very truly yours, /s/ Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman EX-5.(B) 11 EX-5.(B) 1 EXHIBIT 5(b) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 919 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 March 22, 1996 Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Re: Kmart Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-3 Gentlemen: This opinion is furnished by us as special counsel for Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the following securities of the Company with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $1,350,000,000 or the equivalent thereof, based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of sale, in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies as shall be designated by the Company: (i) senior or subordinated debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured, in one or more series (the "Debt Securities"), which may be issued under one or more indentures relating to either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, as applicable (the "Indenture" or "Indentures"), proposed to be entered into between the Company and trustees to be named (the "Trustee" or "Trustees"); (ii) shares of preferred stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"), in one or more series, which may also be issued in the form of depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Receipts") pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each a "Deposit Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and a depos- 2 Page 2 itary to be named (the "Depositary"); (iii) shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"); (iv) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock or other securities of the Company as shall be designated by the Company at the time of offering issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each a "Warrant Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent to be named (the "Warrant Agent"); and (v) such indeterminate amount of Debt Securities and number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Warrants, including such shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering (the "Indeterminate Stock"). The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Common Stock, the Warrants, and the Indeterminate Stock are collectively referred to herein as the "Offered Securities." This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Items 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. We have examined and are familiar with originals or copies of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with this opinion, including (i) the form of Registration Statement relating to the Offered Securities; (ii) the forms of Indentures; (iii) the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to the date hereof; (iv) the By-laws of the Company as currently in effect; and (v) resolutions adopted to date by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") relating to the registration of the Offered Securities. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all 3 Page 3 signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. We have assumed that the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement and the Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustees, the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, respectively, and that any Debt Securities, Receipts or Warrants that may be issued will be manually signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Trustees, the Depositary or the Warrant Agent, respectively. We are members of the Bar in the State of New York and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction other than the laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically 4 Page 4 herein. The Offered Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof. We have assumed that (i) the Company has duly authorized the issuance of the Offered Securities and the filing of the Registration Statement under Michigan law; (ii) the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement and the Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company under Michigan law; (iii) the choice of New York law in the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement and the Warrant Agreement is legal and valid under the laws of other applicable jurisdictions; and (iv) the execution by the Company of the Indentures, the Deposit Agreement and the Warrant Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder will not violate or conflict with any laws of the State of Michigan. Reference is made to the opinion of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman filed as Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement with respect to matters under the laws of the State of Michigan and our opinions set forth herein are subject to the same limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth in such opinion. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: 1. With respect to any series of Debt Securities (the "Offered Debt Securities"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective and the applicable Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon 5 Page 5 consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon exercise of any Warrants), when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies, (d) the waiver of the usury defense contained in Section 5.15 of the applicable Indenture may be unenforceable, (e) requirements that a claim with respect to any Offered Debt Securities denominated other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law, and (f) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies. 2. With respect to any Receipts (the "Offered Receipts"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Receipts has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Receipts are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Receipts has been duly authorized, 6 Page 6 executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Receipts and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Receipts and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Deposit Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Offered Receipts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and duly issued and sold in the applicable form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, the Offered Receipts, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement and the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies. 3. With respect to any series of Warrants (the "Offered Warrants"), when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effec- 7 Page 7 tive amendments), has become effective; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Warrants are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Warrants and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company by the Company and the applicable Warrant Agent; and (vi) the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement and duly issued and sold in the applicable form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating thereto, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or 8 Page 8 other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain further remedies. Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman is permitted to rely upon this opinion for the purpose of delivering its opinion to the Company in its capacity as counsel to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5(b) to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission. Very truly yours, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom EX-5.(C) 12 EX-5.(C) 1 EXHIBIT 5(c) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 919 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 March 22, 1996 Kmart Corporation Kmart Financing I Kmart Financing II Kmart Financing III Kmart Financing IV c/o Kmart Corporation 3100 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084 Re: Kmart Corporation; Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV; Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-64905) ---------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to (1) Kmart Financing I, Kmart Financing II, Kmart Financing III and Kmart Financing IV (each, a "Kmart Trust" and, together, the "Kmart Trusts"), each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and (2) Kmart Corporation (the "Company"), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Michigan, in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-64905), filed by the Company and the Kmart Trusts with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on December 11, 1995 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the Commission on February 16, 1996, Amendment No. 2 thereto, filed with the Commission on March 14, 1996 and Amendment No. 3 thereto, filed with the Commission on March 22, 1996 (such Registration Statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement"), in connection with the 2 Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV Kmart Corporation Page 2 public offering of preferred securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") of each of the Kmart Trusts, and certain other securities. The Trust Preferred Securities of each Kmart Trust are to be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of such Kmart Trust (each, a "Declaration" and, collectively, the "Declarations"), each such Declaration being among the Company, as sponsor and as the issuer of certain debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined below) of such Kmart Trust, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), The Bank of New York, as institutional trustee (the "Institutional Trustee"), and Marvin P. Rich and James P. Churilla, as trustees (together, the "Regular Trustees"). This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement. In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the certificate of trust of each of the Kmart Trusts (the "Certificates of Trust") in each case filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 16, 1996; (ii) the form of the Declaration of each of the Kmart Trusts (including the designations of the terms of the Trust Preferred Securities of such Kmart Trust annexed thereto); (iii) the form of the Trust Preferred Securities of each of the Kmart Trusts; (iv) the form of the preferred securities guarantee agreement (the "Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as guarantee trustee (the "Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee"); (v) the form of the Debentures; (vi) the form of the subordinated indenture (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as debt trustee (the "Debt Trustee"); and (vii) the form of the supplemental inden- 3 Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV Kmart Corporation Page 3 ture, between the Company and the Debt Trustee, in each case in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Kmart Trusts, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and that, except as set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3) below, such documents constitute valid and binding obligations of such parties. In addition, we have assumed that the Declaration of each Kmart Trust, the Trust Preferred Securities of each Kmart Trust, the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Debentures and the Indenture when executed, will be executed in substantially the forms reviewed by us and that the terms of the Debentures when established in conformity with the Indenture will not violate any applicable law. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers, trustees and other representatives of the Company, the Kmart Trusts and others. Members of our firm are admitted to the bar in the States of Delaware and New York, and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction other than the laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein. We have further assumed that no other law would affect any of the conclusions set forth herein. 4 Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV Kmart Corporation Page 4 Based on and subject to the foregoing and to the other qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Trust Preferred Securities of each Kmart Trust, when the Declaration of such Kmart Trust is duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, will be duly authorized for issuance and, when issued and executed in accordance with such Declaration and delivered and paid for as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Kmart Trust; and the holders of such Trust Preferred 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. We bring to your attention, however, that the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of each Kmart Trust may be obligated, pursuant to the Declaration of such Kmart Trust, to (i) provide indemnity and/or security in connection with and pay taxes or governmental charges arising from transfers of such Trust Preferred Securities and (ii) provide security and indemnity in connection with the requests of or directions to the Institutional Trustee of such Kmart Trust to exercise its rights and powers under the Declaration of such Kmart Trust. 2. The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, when duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that (a) enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). 5 Kmart Financing I, II, III and IV Kmart Corporation Page 5 3. The Debentures, when the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and when the terms of the Debentures have been established in conformity with the Indenture, when duly executed, delivered, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and delivered and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). We hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law. Very truly yours, /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom EX-23.(A) 13 EX-23.(A) 1 EXHIBIT 23(a) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 27, 1995, which appears on page 30 of the 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders of Kmart Corporation and its subsidiary companies, which is incorporated by reference in Kmart Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 25, 1995. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedules, which appears on page 11 of such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus. /s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP 200 Renaissance Center Detroit, Michigan March 22, 1996 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----