-----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, CA7u7l8Imqc6i4Zz/gk5FJQ+5FnTeMG/nB9iZZ1/fTb6nXHKOW4XeQO9prSvyA/Y G+YXbk+RWDNmeiFVN7wL0w== 0000914039-01-000019.txt : 20010208 0000914039-01-000019.hdr.sgml : 20010208 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000914039-01-000019 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010207 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHEAST UTILITIES SYSTEM CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072741 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 042147929 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-55142 FILM NUMBER: 1527281 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 174 BRUSH HILL AVE CITY: WEST SPRINGFIELD STATE: MA ZIP: 01090-0010 BUSINESS PHONE: 4137855871 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 107 SELDON ST CITY: BERLIN STATE: CT ZIP: 06037-1616 S-3 1 y45127s-3.txt FORM S-3 1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 7, 2001 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ NORTHEAST UTILITIES (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) MASSACHUSETTS 04-214792 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
174 BRUSH HILL AVENUE WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01089 413-785-5871 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) ------------------------ CHERYL W. GRISE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL NORTHEAST UTILITIES SERVICE COMPANY 107 SELDEN STREET BERLIN, CONNECTICUT 06037 (860) 665-5000 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ WITH COPIES TO: MARTIN L. BUDD, ESQ RICHARD L. HARDEN, ESQ. DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LLP PILLSBURY WINTHROP LLP ONE CANTERBURY GREEN ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA STAMFORD, CT 06901-2047 NEW YORK, NY 10004-1490
------------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement and from time to time thereafter. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to divided or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [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. [ ] ------------------------ CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED* PER UNIT PRICE* REGISTRATION FEE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Notes........................ $600,000,000 100% $600,000,000 $150,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. ------------------------ THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING OFFERS TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 7, 2001 PROSPECTUS NORTHEAST UTILITIES $600,000,000 SENIOR NOTES ------------------------ Northeast Utilities intends to offer from time to time in one or more series up to $600,000,000 of debentures, notes or other types of senior unsecured debt securities (the "Senior Notes"). When a particular series of Senior Notes is offered, we will prepare and issue a supplement to this Prospectus setting forth the particular terms of the offered Senior Notes (each such supplement, a "Prospectus Supplement"). You should read this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement carefully before you make any decision to invest in the Senior Notes. ------------------------ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS ANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. We may offer the Senior Notes directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers. Each Prospectus Supplement will provide the terms of the plan of distribution relating to the respective series of Senior Notes. "Plan of Distribution" below also provides more information on this topic. The date of this Prospectus is , 2001. 3 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") in Washington, D.C., a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the securities offered in this Prospectus. We have not included certain portions of the Registration Statement in this Prospectus as permitted by the Commission's rules and regulations. For further information, you should refer to the Registration Statement and its exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Act of l934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and therefore we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. You may read and copy the Registration Statement (with exhibits), as well as the reports and other information filed by the Company with the Commission, at the Commission's public reference facilities at its principal offices at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and its regional offices at Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. You may obtain information on the operation of the Commission's public reference facilities by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Information filed by us is also available at the Commission's Internet site at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. You can also obtain these materials at set rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. ------------------------ You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this Prospectus and its supplement(s). We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this Prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. ------------------------ DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Prospectus. Later information that we file with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until we sell all the Senior Notes: - Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999; - Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and September 30, 2000; and - Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner of Senior Notes, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus but not delivered with this Prospectus. We will deliver this information upon written or oral request and provide this information at no cost to the requester. You should direct your requests to: Randy A. Shoop Northeast Utilities Service Company 107 Selden Street Berlin, Connecticut 06037 (860) 665-3258 2 4 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS We make statements in this Prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Sometimes these statements will contain words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans" and other similar words. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. These risks, uncertainties and factors include: - general economic, business and regulatory conditions; - the impact of our proposed merger with Consolidated Edison, Inc., including any regulatory conditions imposed on the merger; - energy supply and demand; - competition; - federal and state regulatory developments and changes in law; - availability, terms and use of capital; - nuclear and environmental issues; - weather; and - industry restructuring and cost recovery (including the potential effect of stranded costs). Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Please see the documents we incorporate by reference for more information on these factors. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Prospectus. Except to the extent required by the securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors, nor can we assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. NORTHEAST UTILITIES Northeast Utilities (the "Company") is a holding company for a number of companies comprising the Northeast Utilities system and is not itself an operating company. Through The Connecticut Light and Power Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Yankee Gas Services Company (each a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours), we provide retail electric service to approximately 1.77 million customers in Connecticut, New Hampshire and western Massachusetts and natural gas to approximately 185,000 customers in Connecticut. We also have a number of unregulated subsidiaries which provide telecommunications, energy management and marketing and other energy related services, and we are one of the largest competitive energy suppliers in New England. Our principal executive offices are located at 174 Brush Hill Avenue, West Springfield, Massachusetts 01089, telephone number (413) 785-5871. Our general business offices are located at 107 Selden Street, Berlin, Connecticut 06037, telephone number (860) 665-5000. 3 5 RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the twelve months ended September 30, 2000 and for each of the years ended December 31, 1995 through 1999 are as follows:
TWELVE MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED ------------------------------------ SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ------------------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (UNAUDITED) Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)........................... 1.97 1.50 0.55(2) 0.58(2) 1.46 2.71
- --------------- (1) For purposes of computing the ratios: (i) earnings consists of pretax income from continuing operations, adjusted for income taxes, fixed charges, distributed income of equity investees and minority interests; and (ii) fixed charges consist of interest on long-term debt, amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, interest on short-term debt, interest component of rental expenses, and other interest. (2) There is less than a one-to-one ratio in these years. The amount of the deficiency in years 1997 and 1998 is $123,367 and $132,970, respectively. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes will be used to repay a portion of our long-term debt, all or a portion of our short-term borrowings and for other general corporate purposes, subject to applicable regulatory requirements. If we do not use the net proceeds immediately, we may temporarily invest them in short-term, interest-bearing obligations. DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES General. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Senior Notes to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, all of the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture (as defined below), which is incorporated herein by reference and the form of which is an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The particular terms of the Senior Notes offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Senior Notes so offered will be described therein. References to section numbers under this caption are references to the section numbers of the Senior Note Indenture. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Senior Note Indenture. The Senior Notes will be issued under an indenture (the "Senior Note Indenture"), the form of which is an exhibit to the Registration Statement, between us and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Senior Note Trustee"). There is no requirement under the Senior Note Indenture that future issues of our debt securities be issued under the Senior Note Indenture, and we will be free to use other indentures or documentation, containing provisions different from those included in the Senior Note Indenture or applicable to one or more issues of Senior Notes, in connection with future issues of such other debt securities. The Senior Note Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes that may be issued thereunder. The Senior Note Indenture provides that the Senior Notes will be issued in one or more series as notes or debentures. The Senior Notes may be issued at various times and may have differing maturity dates and may bear interest at differing rates. The Prospectus Supplement applicable to each issue of Senior Notes will specify: - the designation and aggregate principal amount of such Senior Notes; - the date or dates on which such Senior Notes will mature; 4 6 - the interest rate or rates, or method of calculation of such rate or rates, on such Senior Notes, and the date from which such interest shall accrue; - the dates on which such interest will be payable or method by which such dates are to be determined; - the record dates for payments of interest; - any redemption terms; - the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Senior Notes may be repaid, in whole or in part, at our option; - the place or places, if any, in addition to or in the place of our office or the office of the Senior Note Trustee, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Senior Notes shall be payable and where notices to the Company shall be sent; and - other specific terms applicable to such Senior Notes. (Section 301) Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Notes will be denominated in United States currency in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. (Section 301) Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement or as below described under "Limitation on Liens" and "Sale and Leaseback Transactions", there are no provisions in the Senior Note Indenture or the Senior Notes that require us to redeem, or permit the Holders of the Senior Notes to cause a redemption of, the Senior Notes or that otherwise protect the Holders of the Senior Notes in the event that we incur substantial additional indebtedness, whether or not in connection with a change in control of us. Because we are a holding company that conducts all of our operations through our subsidiaries, our ability to meet our obligations under the Senior Notes is dependent on the earnings and cash flows of those subsidiaries and the ability of those subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, repurchase shares of their common stock from us or repay loans or advances made by us to them. Our subsidiaries are prohibited by the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 from lending money to us, indemnifying our creditors or guaranteeing our obligations. Holders of the Senior Notes will generally have a junior position to claims of any holders of preferred stock and creditors of our subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities and guarantee holders. In addition to trade debt, our subsidiaries have ongoing corporate debt programs used to finance their business activities. As of September 30, 2000, our subsidiaries had approximately $3.13 billion of outstanding debt for borrowed money, which includes long-term debt and short- term debt but does not include trade debt, capital leases or power purchase obligations, and approximately $151 million of outstanding preferred stock. Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Supplemental Indentures will not limit the amount of indebtedness or preferred stock issuable by our subsidiaries. Registration, Transfer, Exchange and Form. Senior Notes of any series may be exchanged for other Senior Notes of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. (Section 305) Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Senior Notes may be presented for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer) at the office or agency maintained for such purpose with respect to any series of Senior Notes and referred to in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 305) In the event of any redemption of Senior Notes of any series, we will not be required to exchange, or register the transfer of, any Senior Notes of such series selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Senior Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be so redeemed. (Section 305) Book-Entry Only System. Each series of Senior Notes may be issued in the form of one or more global notes (the "Global Notes") representing all or part of such series of Senior Notes and which will be deposited 5 7 with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company as Depositary under the Senior Note Indenture (the "Depositary") and registered in the name of the Depositary or nominee of the Depositary. Certificated Senior Notes will not be exchangeable for Global Notes and, except under the circumstances described below, the Global Notes will not be exchangeable for certificated Senior Notes. The Depositary has advised us as follows: the Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with the Depositary. The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The Depositary is owned by a number of its Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to The Depository Trust Company system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly. The Rules applicable to the Depositary and its Participants are on file with the Commission. Upon the issuance of the Global Notes in registered form, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Senior Notes represented by the Global Notes to the accounts of Participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or other purchasers of the Global Notes. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests by Participants in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes by persons that hold through Participants will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest within such Participant will be effected only through, records maintained by such Participant. Owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not receive written confirmation from the Depositary of their purchases, but they are expected to receive written confirmation providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Participants through which they purchased beneficial interests in the Global Notes. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Notes. So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the Global Notes, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Senior Notes represented by the Global Notes for all purposes under the Senior Note Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to have Senior Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Senior Notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owner or Holders thereof under the Senior Note Indenture. Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on the Senior Notes will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or the Holder of the Global Notes representing the Senior Notes. None of the Company, the Senior Note Trustee, any paying agent or the registrar for the Senior Notes will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. We have been advised by the Depositary that, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of the Global Notes, the Depositary will credit immediately Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Notes as shown on the records of the Depositary. We also expect that payments by Participants to 6 8 owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes held through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name" and will be the responsibility of such Participants. The Global Notes may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor. If (1) the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor Depositary is not appointed by us within ninety days or (2) there shall have occurred and be continuing after any applicable grace periods an Event of Default, we will issue certificated notes in definitive registered form in exchange for the Global Notes representing the Senior Notes. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any Senior Notes in registered form represented by one or more global notes and, in such event, will issue certificated notes in definitive form in exchange for the Global Notes representing the Senior Notes. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Notes will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of certificated Senior Notes represented by the Global Notes equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such certificated notes registered in its name. (Section 311) Paying Agents. We will maintain an office or agency where Senior Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment. We will give prompt written notice to the Senior Note Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time we shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Senior Note Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Senior Note Trustee, and, in such event, the Senior Note Trustee shall act as our agent to receive all such presentations and surrenders. (Section 1002) All monies paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, interest or premium, if any, on any Senior Note which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after any such principal, interest or premium shall have become due and payable will be repaid to us at our request and the Holder of such Senior Note will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof as an unsecured general creditor. (Section 1003) Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Sale or Transfer. Nothing contained in the Senior Note Indenture prevents us from consolidating with or merging into another corporation or conveying, selling or otherwise transferring our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, provided that: - the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, sale or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Senior Note Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Senior Note Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Senior Notes and the performance of every covenant of the Senior Note Indenture on our part to be performed or observed; and - immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing. We shall also be required to deliver certificates and opinions stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale or transfer comply with the Senior Note Indenture and all relevant conditions precedant have been satisfied. (Section 801) Limitation on Liens. Nothing contained in the Senior Note Indenture or in the Senior Notes in any way restricts or prevents the Company or any of its subsidiaries from incurring any indebtedness; provided that if this covenant is made applicable to the Senior Notes of any particular series, the Company will not issue, assume or guarantee (including any contingent obligation to purchase) or permit to exist any notes, bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed ("Debt") secured by a mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance ("Lien") upon any property of the Company, including the 7 9 capital stock of any of its subsidiaries, without effectively providing that the outstanding Senior Notes (together with, if the Company so determines, any other indebtedness or obligation then existing or thereafter created ranking equally with the Senior Notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured (provided that for purposes of providing such equal and ratable security, the principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes of any series will be such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series). This restriction will not, however, apply to - Liens in existence on the date of the original issue of the Senior Notes to which this restriction is made applicable, including, without limitation, "stock forward" transactions. - Liens created solely for the purpose of securing Debt incurred to finance, refinance or refund the purchase price or cost (including the cost of construction) of property acquired after the date hereof (by purchase, construction or otherwise), or Liens in favor of guarantors of obligations or Debt representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, such purchase price or cost, provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property so acquired and improvements thereon and provided further that such Liens are created no later than 24 months after the purchase or construction; - Liens on any property or assets acquired from a corporation which is merged with or into the Company, which Liens are not created as a result of or in connection with or in anticipation of any such merger (unless such Liens were created to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such corporation); - any Lien on any property or assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof and which is not created as a result of or in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition (unless such Lien was created to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or assets); or - any extension, renewal or replacement of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses, provided that the principal amount of Debt so secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or part of substantially the same property which secured the Lien extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may issue or assume Debt secured by Liens on cash of the Company which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate principal amount which does not at the time of issuance or assumption exceed $100 million. The following types of transactions shall not be deemed to create Debt secured by Liens: Liens required by any contract or statute in order to permit the Company to perform any contract or subcontract made by it with or at the request of a governmental entity or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, or to secure partial, progress, advance or any other payments to the Company by such governmental unit pursuant to the provisions of any contract or statute; and share forwards with respect to shares of the Company accounted for as equity transactions under applicable FASB guidelines wherein the shares collateralize the forward repayment obligation. (Section 1007) Sale and Leaseback Transactions. If this covenant is made applicable to the Senior Notes of any series, the Company will not enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless either: - the Company would be entitled pursuant to the "Limitation on Liens" covenant above to create Debt secured by a Lien on the property to be leased back in an amount equal to the Attributable Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction without the Senior Notes being effectively secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) that Debt; or - the Company, within 270 days after the sale or transfer of the relevant assets shall have been made, applies, in the case of a sale or transfer for cash, an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale or, 8 10 in the case of a sale or transfer otherwise than for cash, an amount equal to the fair market value of the property so leased (as determined by any two trustees of the Company) to: - the retirement of long-term indebtedness of the Company ranking prior to or on a parity with the Senior Notes or - the investment in any property used in the ordinary course of business by the Company. "Attributable Value" means, as to any particular lease under which the Company is at any time liable as lessee and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds from the sale or transfer of the property leased pursuant to the Sale and Leaseback Transaction or (ii) the net book value of the property, as determined by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles at the time of entering into the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, in either case multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be equal to the number of full years of the term of the lease that is part of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction remaining at the time of determination and the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of full years of the term, without regard, in any case, to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any transaction or series of related transactions relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company whereby the Company transfers the property to a person and the Company leases it from that person for a period, including renewals, in excess of 36 months. Modification of the Senior Note Indenture. The Senior Note Indenture contains provisions permitting us and the Senior Note Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes, of all series affected by the modification (voting as one class), to modify the Senior Note Indenture or any supplemental indenture or the rights of the Holders of the Senior Notes of such series; provided that no such modification shall without the consent of the Holders of each outstanding Senior Note affected thereby: - change the date upon which the principal of or the interest on any Senior Note is due and payable; - reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; - change any place of payment where, or the currency in which, any Senior Note or any premium or the interest thereon is payable; - impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date such payment is due (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the date fixed for such redemption); - reduce the aforesaid percentage of Senior Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any modification of the applicable supplemental indenture or for waiver by the Holders of certain of their rights; or - modify certain provisions of the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 902) The Senior Note Indenture also contains provisions permitting us and the Senior Note Trustee to amend the Senior Note Indenture in certain circumstances without the consent of the Holders of any Senior Notes to evidence the succession of another corporation to us, the replacement of the Senior Note Trustee and for certain other purposes, including to cure any ambiguity or defect, or correct any inconsistency, in the Senior Note Indenture, or to add or change any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Senior Note Indenture or the Senior Notes, provided such changes or additions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any series of the Senior Notes in any material respect, or involve a change requiring the consent of the Holders of the Senior Notes described in the preceding paragraph. (Section 901) 9 11 Events of Default. An Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes is defined in the Senior Note Indenture as being: - failure to pay any interest on the Senior Notes and continuance of such failure for 30 days; - failure to pay the principal (or premium, if any), including the payment of principal (or premium, if any) when due pursuant to any redemption provision of the Senior Notes and continuance of such failure for three days; - failure to pay any sinking fund installment, if any, pursuant to the terms of the Senior Notes, and continuance of such failure for a period of three days; - default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of ours in the Senior Note Indenture (other than certain covenants or warranties a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the Senior Note Indenture or which has been expressly included in the Senior Note Indenture solely for the benefit of any series of Senior Notes other than that series) and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after written notice is given to us by the Senior Note Trustee or to us and the Senior Note Trustee by the Holders of 33% or more in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes; and - certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership or liquidation involving us. (Section 501) We will be required to file with the Senior Note Trustee annually an officers' certificate as to the existence or absence of default in performance of certain covenants in the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 1008) The Senior Note Indenture provides that the Senior Note Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of the Senior Notes of any default (except in payment of principal of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, the Senior Notes or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to the Senior Notes) if the Senior Note Trustee in good faith determines that it is in the interest of the Holders of the Senior Notes to do so. (Section 602) The Senior Note Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default due to the default in payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Senior Notes or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to the Senior Notes, or due to the default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty in the Senior Note Indenture by us shall have happened and be continuing, either the Senior Note Trustee or the Holders of 33% or more in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes may declare the principal amount of all the Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately, but if we shall cure all defaults and certain other conditions are met, such declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. If an Event of Default due to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization has occurred and is continuing, the principal amount of all the Senior Notes shall be immediately due and payable, without any act of either the Senior Note Trustee or the Holders. (Sections 502 and 513) Subject to the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture relating to the duties of the Senior Note Trustee, the Senior Note Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Senior Note Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Senior Notes, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Senior Note Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provision for indemnification, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Senior Note Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Senior Note Trustee with respect to the Senior Notes, provided that the Senior Note Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Senior Note Trustee shall determine that the action so directed conflicts with any law or the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture or if the Senior Note Trustee shall determine that such action would subject the Senior Note Trustee to personal liability or expense for which reasonable indemnity has not been provided. (Section 512) Defeasance. We, at our option, (a) will be Discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Senior Notes (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Senior Notes, replace 10 12 destroyed, stolen, lost or mutilated Senior Notes, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust) or (b) need not comply with certain covenants of the Senior Note Indenture described under "-- Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Sale or Transfer" and "-- Limitation of Liens" or to certain covenants relating to corporate existence and maintenance of properties and insurance, in each case, if: - We irrevocably deposit with the Senior Note Trustee, in trust, (a) money or (b) in certain cases, - U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money; or - a combination thereof, in each case sufficient to pay and discharge - the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Senior Notes on the dates such payments are due, in accordance with the terms of the Senior Notes, or to and including the redemption date irrevocably designated by us and - any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Senior Notes on the day on which payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and of the Senior Notes; - no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; - we deliver to the Senior Note Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect - that the Holders of the Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain, loss or expense for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations; - that such provision would not cause any outstanding Senior Notes then listed on any national securities exchange to be delisted as a result thereof; and - that the defeasance trust is not, or is registered as, an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and - we have delivered to the Senior Note Trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Senior Note Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Senior Notes have been complied with. (Sections 403 and 1009) Discharged means, with respect to the Senior Notes of any series, the discharge of the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations of ours under, the Senior Notes of such series and in the satisfaction of all the obligations of ours under the Senior Note Indenture relating to the Senior Notes of such series, except: - the rights of Holders of the Senior Notes of such series to receive, from the trust fund established pursuant to the Senior Note Indenture, payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Senior Notes of such series when such payments are due; - our obligations with respect to the Senior Notes of such series with respect to registration, transfer, exchange and maintenance of a place of payment; and - the rights, powers, trusts, duties, protections and immunities of the Senior Note Trustee under the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 101) U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States and the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of a holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the 11 13 U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt. (Section 101) Resignation or Removal of Senior Note Trustee. The Senior Note Trustee may resign at any time upon written notice to us, and such resignation will take effect immediately upon the appointment of a successor Senior Note Trustee. (Sections 610 and 611) The Senior Note Trustee may be removed at any time by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to the Senior Note Trustee and us and signed by the Holders, or their attorneys-in-fact, of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes. In addition, under certain circumstances, we may remove the Senior Note Trustee upon notice to the Holder of each Senior Note outstanding and the Senior Note Trustee, and appointment of a successor Senior Note Trustee. (Section 610) No Recourse Against Others. The Senior Note Indenture provides that no recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Senior Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours, contained in the Senior Note Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any Senior Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, will be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of us or any successor corporation, either directly or through us or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and in consideration for, the execution of the Senior Note Indenture and the issuance of the Senior Notes. (Section 114) Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the Federal securities laws and we understand that it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy. Concerning the Senior Note Trustee. The Senior Note Trustee under the Senior Note Indenture, and affiliates of the Senior Note Trustee, are also trustees under other indentures and trust agreements of affiliates of ours. LEGAL OPINIONS Legal opinions relating to the validity of the Senior Notes will be given by Day, Berry & Howard LLP, CityPlace I, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3499, counsel for the Company, and Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, New York, New York 10004-1490, counsel for any underwriters, agents or dealers. EXPERTS The consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of capitalization as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, cash flows and income taxes for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports. With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the quarters ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and September 30, 2000 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, Arthur Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of that information. However, their separate report thereon states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on that information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. In addition, the accountants are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act for their report on the unaudited interim financial information because that report is not a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act. 12 14 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION We may sell the Senior Notes offered hereby (i) through negotiation with one or more underwriters; (ii) through one or more agents or dealers designated from time to time; (iii) directly to purchasers; or (iv) through any combination of the above. The distribution of the Senior Notes may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. A Prospectus Supplement or a supplement thereto will describe the method of distribution of the Senior Notes of any series. If we use any underwriters in the sale of Senior Notes, we will enter into an underwriting agreement, distribution agreement or similar agreement with such underwriters prior to the time of sale, and the names of the underwriters used in the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement or a supplement thereto relating to such sale. If an underwriting agreement is executed, the Senior Notes 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 offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of the sale. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the underwriting or purchase agreement will provide that the underwriter or underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the Senior Notes offered in the Prospectus Supplement if any are purchased. If any of the Senior Notes are sold through agents designated by us from time to time, the Prospectus Supplement or a supplement thereto will name any such agent, set forth any commissions payable by us to any such agent and the obligations of such agent with respect to the Senior Notes. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement or a supplement thereto, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Certain persons participating in an offering of the Senior Notes may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Senior Notes. Specifically, the underwriters, if any, may overallot in connection with the offering, and may bid for, and purchase, the Senior Notes in the open market. The Senior Notes of any series, when first issued, will have no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom Senior Notes are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such Senior Notes, but underwriters and agents 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 Senior Notes. In connection with the sale of the Senior Notes, any purchasers, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers in the form of concessions or commissions. The underwriters will be, and any agents and any dealers participating in the distribution of the Senior Notes may be, deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. The agreement between us and any purchasers, underwriters or agents will contain reciprocal covenants of indemnity, and will provide for contribution by us in respect of our indemnity obligations, between us and the purchasers, underwriters or agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Our Declaration of Trust provides that none of our shareholders shall be held to any liability whatever for the payment of any sum of money, or for damages or otherwise, under any contract, obligation or undertaking made, entered into or issued by our trustees or by any officer, agent or representative elected or appointed by our trustees and no such contract, obligation or undertaking shall be enforceable against our trustees or any of them in their or his individual capacities or capacity and all such contracts, obligations and undertakings shall be enforceable only against our trustees as such, and every person, firm, association, trust and corporation having any claim or demand arising out of any such contract, obligation or undertaking shall look only to the trust estate for the payment or satisfaction thereof. 13 15 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation, are: Filing fee for Registration Statement....................... $150,000* Printing costs.............................................. 10,000 Fees and expenses of Senior Note Trustee.................... 35,000 Fees of rating agencies..................................... 100,000 Reimbursement of underwriters' expenses and counsel fees in connection with qualification or registration of the Senior Notes under state securities of "blue sky" laws.... 5,000 Counsel Fees................................................ 75,000 Miscellaneous and incidental expenses, including travel, telephone, copying, postage............................... 5,000 -------- Total....................................................... $380,000
- --------------- * Actual Amount ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Article 34 of the Declaration of Trust of the Company provides that the Trustees, officers, agents or any other representative elected or appointed pursuant to any provision thereof shall not be liable for any act or default on the part of any co-Trustee, or other officer or agent, or for having permitted any co-Trustee or other officer or agent to receive or retain any money or property receivable by the Trustees under the Declaration of Trust, or for errors of judgment in exercising or failing to exercise any of the powers or discretions conferred upon or resting upon him, or for any loss arising out of any investment, or for failure to sue for or to collect any moneys or property belonging to the trust estate, or for any act or omission to act, performed or omitted by him in good faith in the execution of the trusts created under the Declaration of Trust. Each Trustee and every such officer, agent or representative shall be answerable and accountable only for his own receipts and for his own willful acts, neglects and defaults constituting a breach of trust knowingly and intentionally committed by him in bad faith, and not for those of any other, or of any bank, trust company, broker, attorney, auctioneer or other person with whom or into whose hands any property forming part of the trust estate may be deposited or come, or by whom any action relating to the trusts created under the Declaration of Trust may be taken or omitted to be taken; nor shall any Trustee or any such officer, agent or representative be liable or accountable for any defect in title, or for failing to transfer to or vest in the Trustees title to any property or effects for the time being subject to any of the trusts of these presents, or intended or believed to be so subject, or for failing to take out or maintain any or sufficient insurance or for liens or encumbrances upon any such property or effects, or for lack of genuineness or for invalidity of the shares, bonds or other obligations or instruments forming part of or relating to the trust estate, or for any loss, or otherwise, unless the same shall happen through his own willful act, neglect or default constituting a breach of trust knowingly and intentionally committed by him in bad faith; and the Trustees and each of them and each such officer, agent or representative shall be entitled out of the trust estate to reimbursement for their or his reasonable expenses and outlays and to be put in funds and exonerated and indemnified to their or his reasonable satisfaction from time to time, against any and all loss, costs, expense and liability incurred or to be incurred by them or him in the execution of the trusts created under the Declaration of Trust; and no Trustee, however appointed, shall be obliged to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his duties in the said trusts. In addition, and without limiting the protection afforded to them, no Trustee, officer, agent or representative shall be liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Trustee, officer, agent or representative, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability; provided, however, that the II-1 16 provisions of this paragraph shall not be deemed to eliminate or limit any liability which such Trustee, officer, agent or representative would otherwise have under the provisions of the declaration (1) for any breach of such person's duty of loyalty to the association or its shareholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (3) for any transaction from which such person derived an improper personal benefit. Article 34 of the Declaration of Trust of the Company also provides that the Company shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers against all losses, liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees, imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matters as to which such person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his acting was in the best interests of the Company. The Declaration of Trust provides, however, that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such Trustee or officer, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless a determination is made that indemnification of the Trustee or officer is proper under the circumstances because such Trustee or officer acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his acting was in the best interest of the association. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, such a quorum so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the shareholders. In performing his duties, any such Trustee or officer who acts in good faith shall be fully protected in relying upon the books of account of the association or of another organization in which he serves as contemplated by the Declaration of Trust, reports, opinions and advice to the association or to such other organization by any of its officers or employees or by counsel, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care or upon other records of the association or of such other organization. Expenses incurred by any Trustee or officer with respect to any action, suit or proceeding as described above may be paid or advanced by the association prior to the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee or officer to repay such amount if upon final disposition thereof he shall not be entitled to indemnification. The rights of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other right to which any Trustee or officer may be entitled and all such rights shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives. Such other rights shall include the powers, immunities and rights of reimbursement which would be allowable under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were the association of business corporation organized under such laws. The Company also maintains an insurance policy that insures its Trustees and officers against certain liabilities. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 1 Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Senior Notes. 4.1 Declaration of Trust of Northeast Utilities, as amended through May 24, 1988 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Northeast Utilities Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988). 4.2 Form of Senior Note Indenture. 5 Opinion of Day, Berry & Howard LLP regarding the legality of the securities being issued.
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EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 12 Statement re: computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 15 Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP to Northeast Utilities re: unaudited interim financial information. 23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. 23.2 Consent of Day, Berry & Howard LLP (included in Exhibit 5). 24 Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement). 25 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York, as Senior Note Trustee, under the Senior Note Indenture.
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 this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b); if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by these 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 this registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (4) That, for 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 this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, II-3 18 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 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-4 19 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 the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the town of Berlin, State of Connecticut, on February 7, 2001. NORTHEAST UTILITIES (REGISTRANT) By: /s/ MICHAEL G. MORRIS ------------------------------------ Michael G. Morris Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes Cheryl W. Grise, John H. Forsgren, David R. McHale, Jeffrey C. Miller and Jane P. Seidl, and each of them singly, their true and lawful attorneys, with full power to each such attorney to sign for them in their names, in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments to this registration statement, hereby ratifying and confirming such person's signature as it may be signed by said attorneys to any and all amendments to said registration statement.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ MICHAEL G. MORRIS Chairman of the Board, President February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Morris and a Trustee /s/ JOHN H. FORSGREN Executive Vice President and February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer and John H. Forsgren a Trustee /s/ JOHN J. ROMAN Vice President and Controller February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- John J. Roman /s/ COTTON M. CLEVELAND Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Cotton M. Cleveland /s/ SANFORD CLOUD, JR. Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Sanford Cloud, Jr. /s/ WILLIAM F. CONWAY Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- William F. Conway /s/ E. GAIL DE PLANQUE Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- E. Gail de Planque
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SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ RAYMOND L. GOLDEN Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Raymond L. Golden /s/ ELIZABETH T. KENNAN Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth T. Kennan /s/ EMERY G. OLCOTT Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Emery G. Olcott /s/ WILLIAM J. PAPE II Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- William J. Pape II /s/ ROBERT E. PATRICELLI Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- Robert E. Patricelli /s/ JOHN F. SWOPE Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- John F. Swope /s/ JOHN F. TURNER Trustee February 7, 2001 - --------------------------------------------------- John F. Turner
II-6 EX-1 2 y45127ex1.txt EXHIBIT 1 1 EXHIBIT 1 NORTHEAST UTILITIES UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT February [__], 2001 Northeast Utilities 174 Brush Hill Avenue West Springfield, Massachusetts 01090-2010 1. Purchase and Sale. On the basis of the representations and warranties, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (this "AGREEMENT"), the Underwriter (defined below) shall purchase from Northeast Utilities (the "COMPANY"), and the Company shall sell to the Underwriter, the principal amount of the Company's Notes due [__________], 2003, set forth opposite the name of the Underwriter in Schedule I hereto at the price specified in Schedule II hereto (the aggregate principal amount of the notes described in Schedule II hereto are hereinafter referred to as the "NOTES"). 2. Underwriter. The term "UNDERWRITER", as used herein, shall be deemed to mean Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. 3. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with the Underwriter that: (a) The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") a registration statement (Registration Statement No. 333-[_____]), including a prospectus, relating to $600,000,000 principal amount of senior notes, including the Notes, and has filed with, or transmitted for filing to, or shall promptly hereafter file with or transmit for filing to, the Commission a prospectus supplement (the "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT") specifically relating to the Notes pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"). The term "REGISTRATION Statement" means the registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, as amended to the date of this Agreement. The term "BASIC PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. The term "PROSPECTUS" means the Basic Prospectus together with the Prospectus Supplement. The term "PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS" means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Notes, together with the Basic Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Basic Prospectus," "Prospectus" and "preliminary prospectus" shall include in each case the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms "SUPPLEMENT," "AMENDMENT" and "AMEND" as used herein shall include all documents deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus that are filed subsequent to the date of the Basic Prospectus by the Company with the 2 Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"). (b) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, no order directed to the adequacy of any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus has been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for either such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission. (c) (i) Each document filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) each part of the Registration Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain, and each such part, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply, and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply, in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iv) the Prospectus does not contain, and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply (A) to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use therein or (B) to that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TRUST INDENTURE ACT"), of The Bank of New York (the "TRUSTEE"). (d) The Company has been duly formed, is validly existing as a Massachusetts voluntary association in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted. -2- 3 (e) Each majority-owned subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. Each such subsidiary possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted. (f) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (g) The Indenture pursuant to which the Notes are being issued (the "INDENTURE") has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general principles of equity. (h) The Notes have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriter in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, in each case enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general principles of equity. (i) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Declaration of Trust of the Company or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Notes, except such as have been obtained under the Securities -3- 4 Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. (j) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement). (k) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described, filed or incorporated as required. (l) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. (m) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. (n) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), there are no costs or liabilities associated with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS") (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 4. Terms of Public Offering. The Company is advised by the Underwriter that it proposes to make a public offering of the Notes as soon after this Agreement has been -4- 5 entered into as in the judgment of the Underwriter is advisable. The terms of the public offering of the Notes are set forth in the Prospectus. 5. Payment and Delivery. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, payment for the Notes shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available at the time (the "CLOSING DATE") and place set forth in Schedule II hereto, upon delivery to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated of the Notes, in fully registered global form registered in the name of Cede & Co., for the respective accounts specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in writing not less than the business day immediately preceding the date of delivery, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Notes to the Underwriter duly paid. 6. Conditions to the Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter are subject to the following conditions: (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date: (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement) that, in the judgment of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the judgment of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, impracticable to market the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. (b) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 6(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened. -5- 6 (c) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Jeffrey C. Miller, Esq., Assistant General Counsel of Northeast Utilities Service Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that: (i) the Company has been duly formed, is validly existing as a Massachusetts voluntary association in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; the Company possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted; (ii) each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; each subsidiary of the Company possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted; (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; (iv) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general principles of equity; (v) the Notes have been duly authorized and executed, when authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriter in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and will -6- 7 be valid and binding obligations of the Company, in each case enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general principles of equity; (vi) (A) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Declaration of Trust of the Company or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and (B) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes, except such as have been obtained from the Commission under the Securities Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes; (vii) the statements (A) in the Prospectus under the captions "Description of [Debt Securities]," "Plan of Distribution" and "[_______]," (B) in the Registration Statement under Item 15, (C) in "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and (D) in "Item 1 - Legal Proceedings" of Part II of the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, if any, filed since such annual report, in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings and fairly summarize the matters referred to therein; (viii) after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or of any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described, filed or incorporated as required; -7- 8 (ix) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; (x) except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and all applicable Environmental Laws, (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (xi) such counsel (A) is of the opinion that each document, if any, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (except for financial statements and schedules included therein as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) complied when so filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (B) has no reason to believe that (except for financial statements and schedules as to which such counsel need not express any belief and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Form T-1 heretofore referred to) each part of the Registration Statement, when such part became effective, contained and, as of the date such opinion is delivered, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (C) is of the opinion that the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for financial statements and schedules included therein as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (D) has no reason to believe that (except for financial statements and schedules as to which such counsel need not express any belief) the Prospectus as of the date such opinion is delivered contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (d) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Day, Berry & Howard LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in Sections 6(c)(iii), 6(c)(iv), 6(c)(v) and 6(c)(ix) -8- 9 and clauses 6(c)(vi)(A) (as to the Company's Declaration of Trust), 6(c)(vi)(B), 6(c)(vii)(A), 6(c)(vii)(B), 6(c)(xi)(B), 6(c)(xi)(C) and 6(c)(xi)(D) above. (e) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, special counsel for the Underwriter, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in Sections 6(c)(iii), 6(c)(iv), 6(c)(v) and 6(c)(vii) (but only as to the statements in the Prospectus under "Description of [Debt Securities]", "Plan of Distribution" and "[__________]") and clauses 6(c)(xi)(B), 6(c)(xi)(C) and 6(c)(xi)(D) above. With respect to Section 6(c)(xi) above, Jeffrey C. Miller, Esq. may state that his opinion and belief are based upon his participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and documents incorporated therein by reference and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are without independent check or verification, except as specified. With respect to clauses 6(c)(xi)(B), 6(c)(xi)(C) and 6(c)(xi)(D) above, Day, Berry & Howard LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop LLP may state that their opinion and belief are based upon their participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (but not including documents incorporated therein by reference) and review and discussion of the contents thereof (including documents incorporated therein by reference), but are without independent check or verification, except as specified. The opinions of Jeffrey C. Miller, Esq. and Day, Berry & Howard LLP described in Section 6(c) and 6(d) above shall be rendered to the Underwriter at the request of the Company and shall so state therein. (f) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date a letter, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, from the Company's independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in or incorporated by reference into the Prospectus. 7. Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriter herein contained, the Company covenants with the Underwriter as follows: (a) To furnish Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, without charge, [___] signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to furnish Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 7(c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference therein -9- 10 and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated may reasonably request. (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus with respect to the Notes, to furnish to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated reasonably objects. (c) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Notes as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by the Underwriter or a dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriter and to the dealers (whose names and addresses Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated will furnish to the Company) to which Notes may have been sold by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law. (d) To endeavor to qualify the Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a consent to service of process or to file annual reports or to comply with any other requirements deemed by the Company in its reasonable judgment to be unduly burdensome. (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders and to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated as soon as practicable an earning statement covering a twelve month period beginning on the first day of the first full fiscal quarter after the date of this Agreement, which earning statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. If such fiscal quarter is the last fiscal quarter of the Company's fiscal year, such earning statement shall be made available not later than 90 days after the close of the period covered thereby and in all other cases shall be made available not later than 45 days after the close of the period covered thereby. -10- 11 (f) During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including the Closing Date, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities of the Company or warrants to purchase debt securities of the Company substantially similar to the Notes (other than (i) the Notes and (ii) commercial paper issued in the ordinary course of business), without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. (g) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and the Company's accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Notes under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriter and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Notes to the Underwriter, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes under state law and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Notes for offer and sale under state law as provided in Section 7(d) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter not to exceed $10,000 in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel and accountants and of the Trustee and its counsel, (v) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriter incurred in connection with any review and qualification of the offering of the Notes by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (vi) any fees charged by the rating agencies for the rating of the Notes and (vii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 8 entitled "Indemnity and Contribution", and Section 10 entitled "Expenses" below, the Underwriter will pay all of its costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of its counsel, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers it may make. 8. Indemnity and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged -11- 12 untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use therein. (b) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Underwriter, but only with reference to information relating to the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto. (c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a) above, and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b) above. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, -12- 13 without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding. (d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriter on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of such Notes (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus Supplement, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Notes. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriter and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. (e) The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that the Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of -13- 14 fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity. (f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or any person controlling the Underwriter or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Notes. 9. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination by notice given by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in clauses 9(a)(i) through 9(a)(iv), such event, singly or together with any other such event, makes it, in the judgment of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, impracticable to market the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. 10. Expenses. If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriter because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of its counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriter in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder. 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 12. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. -14- 15 13. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement. 14. No Shareholder Liability. The Declaration of Trust of the Company provides that no shareholder of the Company shall be held to any liability whatever for the payment of any sum of money, or for damages or otherwise, under any contract, obligation or undertaking made, entered into or issued by the trustees of the Company or by any officer, agent or representative elected or appointed by the trustees of the Company and no such contract, obligation or undertaking shall be enforceable against the trustees of the Company or any of them in their or his individual capacities or capacity and all such contracts, obligations and undertakings shall be enforceable only against the trustees of the Company as such, and every person, firm, association, trust and corporation having any claim or demand arising out of any such contract, obligation or undertaking shall look only to the trust estate for the payment or satisfaction thereof. -15- 16 Please confirm your agreement by having an authorized officer sign a copy of this Agreement in the space set forth below. Very truly yours, MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED By: ------------------------------------- Name: Title: Accepted: NORTHEAST UTILITIES By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: 17 SCHEDULE I
Underwriter Principal Amount of Notes Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated $[______________] TOTAL.......... $[______________]
18 SCHEDULE II Underwriting Agreement dated February [__], 2001 Registration Statement No. 333-[_______] Underwriter and Address: Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated 1585 Broadway New York, New York 10036 Designation: [Senior Notes, Floating Rate Series Due _________, 2003] Principal Amount: $[___________] Date of Maturity: [__________], 2003 Interest Rate: Floating rate equal to [_________] Interest Payment Dates: [__________] and [_________] of each year, commencing [___________], 2001 Record Dates: [_________] and [_________], commencing [__________], 2001 Purchase Price: [________]% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of original issuance thereof Public Offering Price: [________]% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of original issuance thereof Redemption Terms: Redeemable in whole at any time or in part from time to time prior to maturity at the option of the Company at the outstanding principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any Closing Date and Location: [___________], 2001 Pillsbury Winthrop LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, New York 10004
EX-4.2 3 y45127ex4-2.txt EXHIBIT 4.2 1 Exhibit 4.2 ================================================================================ NORTHEAST UTILITIES AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE ------------------ INDENTURE DATED AS OF [ ], 2001 ------------ ------------------ SENIOR NOTES ================================================================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION.......................... 1 Section 101. Definitions........................................................................ 1 Act............................................................................... 2 Affiliate......................................................................... 2 Attributable Value................................................................ 2 Authenticating Agent.............................................................. 2 Board of Directors................................................................ 2 Board Resolution.................................................................. 2 Business Day...................................................................... 2 Commission........................................................................ 2 Company........................................................................... 2 Company Order..................................................................... 2 Corporate Trust Office............................................................ 3 corporation....................................................................... 3 Debt.............................................................................. 3 default........................................................................... 3 Defaulted Interest................................................................ 3 Depositary........................................................................ 3 Discharged........................................................................ 3 Event of Default.................................................................. 3 Exchange Act...................................................................... 3 Global Security................................................................... 3 Holder............................................................................ 3 Indebtedness...................................................................... 3 Indenture......................................................................... 4 Interest.......................................................................... 4 Interest Payment Date............................................................. 4 Lien.............................................................................. 4 Maturity.......................................................................... 4 Net Tangible Assets............................................................... 4 Officers' Certificate............................................................. 5 Opinion of Counsel................................................................ 5 Original Issue Discount Security.................................................. 5 Outstanding....................................................................... 5 Paying Agent...................................................................... 6 Periodic Offering................................................................. 6 Person............................................................................ 6 Place of Payment.................................................................. 6 Predecessor Security.............................................................. 6 Redemption Date................................................................... 6
-i- 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE Redemption Price.................................................................. 6 Regular Record Date............................................................... 6 Repayment Price................................................................... 7 Responsible Officer............................................................... 7 Sale and Leaseback Transaction.................................................... 7 Security.......................................................................... 7 Security Register" and "Security Registrar ....................................... 7 Special Record Date............................................................... 7 Stated Maturity................................................................... 7 Subsidiary........................................................................ 7 Trustee........................................................................... 7 Trust Indenture Act............................................................... 7 U.S. Government Obligations....................................................... 7 Vice President.................................................................... 8 Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions............................................... 8 Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee............................................. 8 Section 104. Acts of Holders.................................................................... 9 Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.............................................. 11 Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.......................................................... 11 Section 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.................................................. 12 Section 108. Effect of Headings, Table of Contents, Etc......................................... 12 Section 109. Successors and Assigns............................................................. 12 Section 110. Separability Clause................................................................ 12 Section 111. Benefits of Indenture.............................................................. 12 Section 112. Governing Law...................................................................... 12 Section 113. Legal Holidays..................................................................... 12 Section 114. No Recourse Against Others......................................................... 13 ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS................................................................... 13 Section 201. Forms Generally.................................................................... 13
-ii- 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE Section 202. Form of Face of Security........................................................... 14 Section 203. Form of Reverse of Security........................................................ 16 Section 204. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.................................... 19 ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES................................................................... 20 Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series............................................... 20 Section 302. Denominations...................................................................... 23 Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating..................................... 23 Section 304. Temporary Securities............................................................... 26 Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange................................ 26 Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities................................... 27 Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved..................................... 28 Section 308. Persons Deemed Owners.............................................................. 29 Section 309. Cancellation....................................................................... 29 Section 310. Computation of Interest............................................................ 30 Section 311. Global Securities.................................................................. 30 Section 312. Periodic Offering of Securities.................................................... 31 ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE....................................................... 32 Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture............................................ 32 Section 402. Application of Trust Money......................................................... 33 Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any Series................. 34 ARTICLE FIVE EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES...................................................... 36 Section 501. Events of Default.................................................................. 36
-iii- 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment................................. 37 Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.................... 38 Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim................................................... 39 Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities........................ 40 Section 506. Application of Money Collected..................................................... 40 Section 507. Limitation on Suits................................................................ 41 Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.......... 41 Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies................................................. 42 Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative..................................................... 42 Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver....................................................... 42 Section 512. Control by Holders................................................................. 42 Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults............................................................ 43 Section 514. Undertaking for Costs.............................................................. 43 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE...................................................................... 44 Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities................................................ 44 Section 602. Notice of Defaults................................................................. 45 Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.......................................................... 45 Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............................. 46 Section 605. May Hold Securities................................................................ 46 Section 606. Money Held in Trust................................................................ 47 Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement..................................................... 47 Section 608. Conflicting Interests.............................................................. 47
-iv- 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility............................................ 48 Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee.......................... 48 Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor............................................. 49 Section 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business........................ 50 Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.................................. 51 Section 614. Authenticating Agents.............................................................. 54 ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY................................ 56 Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.......................... 56 Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders............................. 56 Section 703. Reports by Trustee................................................................. 58 Section 704. Reports by Company................................................................. 59 ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, SALE OR TRANSFER.............................. 60 Section 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms............................... 60 Section 802. Successor Corporation to be Substituted............................................ 60 ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.......................................................... 61 Section 901. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders................................. 61 Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.................................... 63 Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures............................................... 64 Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.................................................. 64 Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act................................................ 64 Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures................................. 64
-v- 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS........................................................................ 64 Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest......................................... 64 Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.................................................... 65 Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.................................. 65 Section 1004. Corporate Existence................................................................ 66 Section 1005. Maintenance of Properties.......................................................... 67 Section 1006. Maintenance of Insurance........................................................... 67 Section 1007. Limitation on Liens................................................................ 67 Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default................................................ 67 Section 1009. Defeasance of Certain Obligations.................................................. 67 Section 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants........................................................ 69 Section 1011. Further Assurances................................................................. 69 Section 1012. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.................................................... 69 ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES......................................................... 69 Section 1101. Applicability of Article........................................................... 69 Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.............................................. 69 Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.................................. 70 Section 1104. Notice of Redemption............................................................... 70 Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price........................................................ 71 Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.............................................. 71 Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part........................................................ 72 ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS.................................................................... 72 Section 1201. Applicability of Article........................................................... 72
-vi- 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
PAGE Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.............................. 72 Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.......................................... 73 ARTICLE THIRTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING...................................... 74 Section 1301. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.......................................... 74 Section 1302. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings................................................. 74 Section 1303. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings............................................... 74 Section 1304. Quorum; Action..................................................................... 75 Section 1305. Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings................................................ 76 Section 1306. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.................................... 76 Section 1307. Action Without Meeting............................................................. 77 ARTICLE FOURTEEN MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................... 77 Section 1401. Counterparts....................................................................... 77 Section 1402. Liability of Trustees and Shareholders............................................. 77
-vii- 9 Reconciliation and tie between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of [__________], 2001
Trust Indenture Act Section Indenture Section --------------- ----------------- Section 310(a)(1)........................................................................... 609 (a)(2)................................................................................. Not Applicable (a)(4)................................................................................. Not Applicable (a)(5)................................................................................. 609 (b).................................................................................... 608, 610 (c).................................................................................... Not Applicable Section 311(a).............................................................................. 613(a) (b).................................................................................... 613 (b) (b)(2)................................................................................. Not Applicable (c).................................................................................... Not Applicable Section 312(a).............................................................................. 701, 702(a) (b).................................................................................... 702(b) (c).................................................................................... 702(c) Section 313(a).............................................................................. 703(a) (b).................................................................................... 703(b) (c).................................................................................... 703(a), 703(b) (d).................................................................................... 703(c) Section 314(a).............................................................................. 704 (a)(4)................................................................................. 1008 (b).................................................................................... Not Applicable (c)(1)................................................................................. 102 (c)(2)................................................................................. 102 (c)(3)................................................................................. Not Applicable (d).................................................................................... Not Applicable (e).................................................................................... 102 (f).................................................................................... Not Applicable Section 315(a).............................................................................. 601(a) (b).................................................................................... 602, 703(a)(8) (c).................................................................................... 601(b) (d).................................................................................... 601(c) (d)(1)................................................................................. 601(a)(1) (d)(2)................................................................................. 601(c)(2) (d)(3)................................................................................. 601(c)(3) (e) ................................................................................... 514 Section 316(a)(1)(A)........................................................................ 512 (a)(1)(B).............................................................................. 502, 513 (a)(2)................................................................................. Not Applicable (b).................................................................................... 508 (c).................................................................................... 104(e)
-i- 10 Section 317(a)(1)........................................................................... 503 (a)(2)................................................................................. 504 (b).................................................................................... 1003 Section 318(a).............................................................................. 107
- ---------- Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. -ii- 11 INDENTURE, dated as of [___________], 2001, between NORTHEAST UTILITIES, a voluntary association duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Company"), having its principal office at 174 Brush Hill Avenue, West Springfield, Massachusetts 01089 and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). RECITALS OF THE COMPANY The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of certain of its notes, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness (the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done. NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows: ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION Section 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the terms defined in this Section have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section and include the plural as well as the singular; (ii) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings ascribed to them therein; (iii) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation; 12 (iv) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and (v) certain terms used in Section 613 have the meanings ascribed to them in such Section. The following terms have the following meanings: "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104 hereof. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "Attributable Value" means, as to any particular lease under which the Company is at any time liable as lessee and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds from the sale or transfer of the property leased pursuant to the Sale and Leaseback Transaction or (ii) the net book value of the property, as determined by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles at the time of entering into the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, in either case multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be equal to the number of full years of the term of the lease that is part of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction remaining at the time of determination and the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of full years of the term, without regard, in any case, to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized to authenticate and deliver the Securities on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 hereof. "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that Board. "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law to remain closed. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time. "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor corporation. "Company Order" or "Company Request" means, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President or a General Manager, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. -2- 13 "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee in New York, New York, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business is administered, which at the date hereof is 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company, limited liability company or business trust. "Debt" means, with respect to any Person, any notes, bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money. "default" for purposes of Section 601 of this Indenture means an "Event of Default" as specified in Section 501 hereof, and for purposes of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, "default" means an "Event of Default" as specified in Section 501 hereof but exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice. "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307 hereof. "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 301 hereof, which must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, if so provided pursuant to Section 301 hereof with respect to the Securities of a series, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, "Depositary" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to the Securities of that series. "Discharged" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the discharge of the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations of the Company under, the Securities of such series and in the satisfaction of all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series, except (A) the rights of Holders of the Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in Section 403 hereof, payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series when such payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities of such series with respect to registration, transfer, exchange and maintenance of a Place of Payment and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, protections and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture. "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501 hereof. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "Global Security" means a Security evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee. "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register. "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person (without duplication), (a) any liability of such Person (1) for borrowed money or under any reimbursement obligation relating to a letter of credit, financial bond or similar instrument or agreement, (2) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument or agreement (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets of any kind (other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business or a performance -3- 14 bond or similar obligation), (3) for the payment of money relating to any obligations under any capital lease of real or personal property or (4) for purposes of Section 1007, under any agreement or instrument in respect of an interest rate or currency swap, exchange or hedging transaction or other financial derivatives transaction; (b) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (a) that the Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; and (c) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above. For the purpose of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this definition, guarantees of (or obligations with respect to letters of credit or financial bonds supporting) Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not be included. "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and includes the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301 hereof; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities pursuant to Section 610, "Indenture" shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such provisions or terms were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party. "Interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity. "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security. "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, encumbrance, or other security arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing). "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal or an installment of principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise. "Net Tangible Assets" means the total of all assets (including revaluations thereof as a result of commercial appraisals, price level restatement or otherwise) appearing on a balance -4- 15 sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, net of applicable reserves and deductions, but excluding goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and all other like intangible assets (which term shall not be construed to include such revaluations), less the aggregate of the current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries appearing on such balance sheet. "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, or General Manager and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or regular counsel for the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 hereof. "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities of any series, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except: (i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption money or U.S. Government Obligations in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company acts as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and (iii) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 hereof or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 hereof, (b) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as -5- 16 specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (c) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in clause (a) or (b) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (d) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in (d) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee certifies to the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company. "Periodic Offering" means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time the specific terms of which Securities, including without limitation, the rate or rates of interest (or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest), if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in or as contemplated by Section 301 hereof. "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 hereof in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security. "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture. "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest, if any. "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301 hereof. -6- 17 "Repayment Price", when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the price specified in such Security or pursuant to this Indenture at which it is to be repaid pursuant to such Security. "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means any Vice President or any trust officer of the Trustee, which in each case is assigned to its Corporate Trust Department, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other trust officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any transaction or series of related transactions relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company whereby the Company transfers the property to a Person and the Company leases it from that Person for a period, including renewals, in excess of 36 months. "Security" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Security authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, "Security" with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean any Security authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee. "Security Register" and "Security Registrar " have the respective meanings specified in Section 305 hereof. "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307 hereof. "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal or installment of principal of such Security or interest is due and payable. "Subsidiary" means an entity more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock (or comparable equity interest) of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905 hereof. "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or obligations of a person controlled or -7- 18 supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States and the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of a holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt. "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president or assistant vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president" or "assistant vice president". Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee (a) an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and (b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (i) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with. Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or -8- 19 covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents. Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument. Section 104. Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 104. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or set forth or determined in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, pursuant to Section 301 hereof, a Holder, including a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy, or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security through such Depositary's standing instructions and customary practices. (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument, writing or proxy may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument, writing or proxy acknowledged to him the execution -9- 20 thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument, writing or proxy, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. (c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security. (e) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to make any request or demand, or give any authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, or take any other action, provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to take relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. With regard to any action that may be taken hereunder only by Holders of a requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series (or their duly appointed agents) and for which a record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, at its option, set an expiration date after which no such action purported to be taken by any Holder shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to such expiration date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents). On or prior to any expiration date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, on one or more occasions at its option, extend such expiration date to any later date. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent any Holder (or any duly appointed agent thereof) from taking, at any time, any action contrary to or different from, any action previously taken, or purported to have been taken, hereunder by such Holder, in which event the Company may set a record date in respect thereof pursuant to this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, any action to be taken by Holders pursuant to Section 501, 502 or 512 hereof. Upon receipt by the Trustee of notice of any default described in Section 501 hereof, any declaration of acceleration, or any rescission and annulment of any such declaration, pursuant to Section 502 hereof or of any direction in accordance with Section 512 hereof, a record date shall automatically and without any other action by any Person be set for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the series entitled to join in such notice, declaration, or rescission and annulment, or direction, as the case may be, which record date shall be the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such notice, declaration, rescission and annulment or direction, as the case may be. The Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date (or their duly appointed agent), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in -10- 21 such notice, declaration, rescission and annulment, or direction, as the case may be, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that, unless such notice, declaration, rescission and annulment, or direction, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents) having joined therein on or prior to the 90th day after such record date, such notice of default, declaration, or rescission and annulment or direction given or made by the Holders, as the case may be, shall automatically and without any action by any Person be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder (or a duly appointed agent thereof) from giving, before or after the expiration of such 90-day period, a notice of default, a declaration of acceleration, a rescission and annulment of a declaration of acceleration or a direction in accordance with Section 512 hereof, contrary to or different from, or, after the expiration of such period, identical to, a previously given notice, declaration, rescission and annulment, or direction, as the case may be, that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date in respect thereof shall be set pursuant to this paragraph. Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. -11- 22 In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made at the direction of the Company in a manner reasonably calculated, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, to provide prompt notice and shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. Section 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act or another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision or requirement of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, such provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be. Section 108. Effect of Headings, Table of Contents, Etc. The Article and Section headings herein, the Table of Contents and the Reconciliation and tie between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and this Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. Section 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. Section 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Section 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture. Section 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Section 113. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of repayment at the option of a Holder of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place -12- 23 of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest, if any, or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, at the Stated Maturity or on the date of repayment, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of repayment, as the case may be. Section 114. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company, contained in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any Security, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Securities. ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS Section 201. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officer or officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by the officer's or officers' execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 hereof for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article. The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officer or officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by the officer's or officers' execution of such Securities. -13- 24 Section 202. Form of Face of Security. [If the Security is to be a Global Security, insert - This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by 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 Global Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any definitive Security is issued in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.] NORTHEAST UTILITIES [Title of the Security] CUSIP NO. ___________ $___________ NO. ______________ NORTHEAST UTILITIES, a voluntary association duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ___________________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________________ Dollars on _________________________________ [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert - , and to pay interest thereon from ________, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, [semi-annually] on [____________ AND ___________] in each year, commencing ________, at the rate per annum provided in the title hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [If applicable, insert - , and, subject to the terms of the Indenture, at the rate per annum provided in the title hereof on any overdue principal and premium and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) on any overdue installment of interest]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest which shall be (1) the business day next preceding such Interest Payment Date if the Security remains in book-entry only form or (2) the 15th calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date if the Security does not remain in book-entry only form. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is -14- 25 registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.] [If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert-The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of [yield to maturity]% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of [yield to maturity]% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.] Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest[, if any,] on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in ________, in [such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts - or state other currency] [If this Security is not a Global Security, insert - ; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register] [If this Security is a Global Security, insert applicable manner of payment]. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, NORTHEAST UTILITIES has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal. Dated: [Seal] NORTHEAST UTILITIES By________________________________________________________ [Name] -15- 26 [Title] [If more than one By officer is to sign - [Name] [Title] Section 203. Form of Reverse of Security. NORTHEAST UTILITIES [Title of the Security] This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of __________ __, 2001, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $________]. [If applicable, insert - This Security is not subject to redemption prior to maturity.] [If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days' notice by mail to the Holders of such Securities at their addresses in the Security Register for such series, [if applicable, insert - (1) on __________ in any year commencing with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [on or after ___________, [200_], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before _____________, ___%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning ___________, of the years indicated:
Year Redemption Price Year Redemption Price ____ ________________ ____ ________________
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ___% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert - (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of -16- 27 such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.] [If applicable, insert - Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to _________, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than ___% per annum.] [The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on _________ in each year beginning with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ of [not less than] __________ [("mandatory sinking fund") and, at the option of the Company, not more than __________] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made in the order in which they become due.]] [In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.] The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (a) the entire Indebtedness of this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein. [If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.] [If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series (the "Acceleration Amount") may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. In case of a declaration of acceleration on or before ________, __ OR ON _____________ in any year, the Acceleration Amount per ______ principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Securities shall be equal to the amount set forth in respect of such date below:
Date of Declaration Acceleration Amount per ___________________ __________ principal amount at Stated Maturity
-17- 28 and in case of a declaration of acceleration on any other date, the Acceleration Amount shall be equal to the Acceleration Amount as of the next preceding date set forth in the table above, plus accrued original issue discount (computed in accordance with the method used for calculating the amount of original issue discount that accrues for Federal income tax purposes) from such next preceding date to the date of declaration at the yield to maturity. For the purpose of this computation the yield to maturity is ___%. Upon payment (i) of the Acceleration Amount so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.] The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected (voting as a class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. [If this Security is a Global Security, insert - This Security shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in the names of Persons other than the Depositary with respect to such series or its nominee only as provided in this paragraph. This Security shall be so exchangeable if (x) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or at any time ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series. Securities so issued in exchange for this Security shall be of the same series, having the same interest rate, if any, and maturity and having the same terms as this Security, in authorized denominations and in the aggregate having the same principal amount as this Security and registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.] As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of [If this Security is a Global Security, insert - a Security of the series of which this Security is a part] [If this Security is not a Global Security, insert - this Security] is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or -18- 29 agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Securities of [If this Security is a Global Security insert - the series of which this Security is a part] [If this Security is not a Global Security, insert - this series] are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $__________ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture. Section 204. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee's Certificate of Authentication shall be in the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. Dated: The Bank of New York ________________________________________ as Trustee -19- 30 By ___________________________________________ Authorized Signatory ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. All Securities of each series under this Indenture shall in all respects be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits hereof with respect to such series without preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time of the authentication and delivery or Stated Maturity of the Securities of such series. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. Each series of Securities shall be created either by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by or pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto. The Securities of each such series may bear such date or dates, be payable at such place or places, have such Stated Maturity or Maturities, bear interest at such rate or rates (which may be fixed or floating), from such date or dates, payable in such installments and on such dates and at such place or places to the Holders of Securities registered as such on the related Regular Record Dates, or may bear no interest, and may be redeemable or repayable at such Redemption Price or Prices or Repayment Price or Prices, as the case may be, whether at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and upon such terms, all as shall be provided for in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture creating that series. There may also be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or pursuant to a supplemental indenture prior to the issuance of Securities of each such series, provision for: (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities); (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 304, 305, 306, 906, or 1107 hereof and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303 hereof, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); -20- 31 (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name the Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or any formulary or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension); (5) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any), or any formulary or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or any formulary or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension), the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places, if any, in addition to or in place of the office or agency of the Company in the City of West Springfield, Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the principal office or place of business of the Trustee or its successors in trust under the Indenture, which, at the date hereof, is located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where such Securities may be registered, exchanged or transferred and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served; (7) the period or periods within which, the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or other mandatory redemption provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; -21- 32 (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable; (10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 hereof; (11) if other than such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts, the coin or currency, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable; (12) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made; (13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (14) any provisions permitted by this Indenture relating to Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to such series of Securities in addition to those specified in Articles V and X hereof; (15) if the Securities of such series are to be issued in global form, (i) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders of such Securities to transfer or exchange the same or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof, (ii) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders thereof to obtain certificates therefor in definitive form in lieu of temporary form and (iii) any and all other matters incidental to such Securities; (16) the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be considered to be U.S. Government Obligations in respect of the Securities of such series denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars or in a composite currency, and any additional or alternative provisions for the reinstatement of the Company's indebtedness in respect of such Securities after the satisfaction and discharge thereof; and (17) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture), including, without limitation, any terms required for or appropriate to (i) establishing one or more series of medium-term notes to be issued in a Periodic Offering or (ii) providing for the remarketing of the Securities of such series. -22- 33 All Securities of any one series (other than Securities offered in a Periodic Offering) shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and set forth in the Officers' Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. If any of the terms of the series, including the form of Security of such series, are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or other authorized officer of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 hereof for the authentication and delivery of such series of Securities. With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution and Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with other procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated by the third paragraph of Section 303. Section 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons, except as otherwise expressly provided in a supplemental indenture hereto, in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301 hereof. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, General Manager or Treasurer under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and which need not be attested. The Securities of any series shall be executed by such additional officer, if any, as shall be specified pursuant to Section 301 hereof. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signature of any individual who was at any time the proper officer of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to hold such office prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such office at the date of authentication of such Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, or, in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agents, promptly confirmed in writing by the Company) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order for the specific terms of the Securities being so offered, together with (i) a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, (ii) an Officers' Certificate -23- 34 stating that (x) the Company is not, and upon the authentication by the Trustee of the series of Securities, will not be in default under any of the terms or covenants contained in the Indenture, and (y) all conditions that must be met by the Company to issue Securities under the Indenture have been met, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 hereof, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating, (a) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201 hereof, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (b) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301 hereof, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as the enforceability thereof is subject to the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, (i) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (ii) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that, with respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive such Opinion of Counsel in connection only with the first authentication of Securities of such series, and in such case the opinions described in Clauses (b) and (c) above may state, respectively, that: (i) if the terms of such Securities are to be established pursuant to a company Order or pursuant to such procedures as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order, all as contemplated by a Board Resolution or action taken pursuant thereto, such terms will have been duly authorized by the Company and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (ii) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture, and issued and delivered by the Company and paid for, all in accordance with any agreement of the Company relating to the offering, issuance -24- 35 and sale of such Securities, will be duly issued under this Indenture and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities and any coupons. If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties, protections or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 hereof and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution, the Officers' Certificate, or an indenture supplemental hereto otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 hereof or the Company Order, the Officers' Certificate and the Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the time of authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. If all of the Securities of a series are not authenticated and issued at one time, for each issuance of Securities after the initial issuance of Securities, the Company shall be required only to deliver to the Trustee the Security executed by the Company together with a Company Order to the Trustee to authenticate such Security and to deliver such Security in accordance with the instructions specified by such Company Order. Any such Company Order shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that the statements made in the Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee prior to the authentication and issuance of the first Security of such series are true and correct on the date thereof as if made on and as of the date thereof. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 hereof together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 hereof and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. -25- 36 Section 304. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officer or officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series. Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. At the option of the Holder, any Security or Securities of any series, other than a Global Security, may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same -26- 37 benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Sections 304, 906 or 1107 hereof not involving any transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 1103 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part. The provisions of this Section 305 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 311 hereof. Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 306, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. -27- 38 Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities. Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below: (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their -28- 39 respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2). (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 305 and Section 307, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security. Section 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of a Security as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 305 and Section 307 hereof) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Holder, or upon such Holder's order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security. No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Corporation or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall impair, as between a Depositary and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary as holder of any Security. Section 309. Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section 309, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee's then customary practice for disposing of securities, unless otherwise directed by a Company Order; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy any canceled Securities. -29- 40 Section 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 hereof for Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and for any period shorter than a full month, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such period. Section 311. Global Securities. If the Company establishes pursuant to Section 301 hereof that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in the form of a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 303 hereof, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security or Securities which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: "This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by 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 Global Security is presented by an authorized representative of the Depositary to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any definitive Security is issued in the name of [Cede & Co.] or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary (and any payment is made to [Cede & Co.] or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, [Cede & Co.], has an interest herein." Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 305 hereof, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 305 hereof, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary. If (i) at any time the Depositary for a series of Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing after any -30- 41 applicable grace periods an Event of Default with respect to the Securities for a series, then in each such case, this Section 311 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 305 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by Global Securities and that the provisions of this Section 311 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and subject to Section 305 hereof, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Securities. Upon the exchange of the Global Securities for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Securities shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Securities pursuant to this Section 311, shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to the instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. Section 312. Periodic Offering of Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Company to deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate, Board Resolution, supplemental indenture, Opinion of Counsel or Company Request otherwise required pursuant to Sections 202, 301 and 303 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued; provided that any subsequent request by the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company and its counsel that as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers' Certificate and opinions made in the Opinion of Counsel delivered pursuant to Section 102 and 303, respectively, shall be true and correct as if made on such date. An Officers' Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution delivered by the Company to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph may provide that Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such Officers' Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution (any such telephonic instructions to be confirmed promptly in writing by such person or persons) and that such person or persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officers' Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, such terms and conditions of said Securities as are specified in such Officers' Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution. -31- 42 Exhibit 4.2 ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (1) either (A) all Securities of all series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 hereof and (y) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003 hereof) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (B) all such Securities of all series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or (iv) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 403 hereof, as applicable, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of clause (B) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount of (a) money in the currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable, or (b) in the case of (ii) or (iii) of clause (B) above and (except as provided in an indenture supplemental hereto) if no Securities of any series Outstanding are subject to repurchase at the option of Holders (I) U.S. Government Obligations (denominated in the same currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable) which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, money in an amount, or (II) a combination of money or U.S. Government Obligations as provided in (I) above, in each case, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities not -32- 43 theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 hereof, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 hereof and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 401 or if money or U.S. Government Obligations shall have been deposited with or received by the Trustee pursuant to Section 403 hereof, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 hereof and the last paragraph of Section 1003 hereof shall survive. Section 402. Application of Trust Money. (a) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003 hereof, all money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof. (b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders. (c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or money was deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations held under this Indenture. -33- 44 Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any Series. The Company shall be deemed to have paid and Discharged the entire Indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities of any series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (e) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such Outstanding Securities of such series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall at Company Request execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to: (a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (1) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or to and including the Redemption Date irrevocably designated by the Company pursuant to subparagraph (5) hereof and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day of which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; (b) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 hereof, if the Company shall have irrevocably designated a Redemption Date pursuant to subparagraph (5) hereof, Sections 1101, 1104 and 1106 hereof as they apply to such Redemption Date; (c) the Company's obligations with respect to the Trustee under Section 607 hereof; and (d) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the duties of the Trustee under Section 402 hereof and, if the Company shall have irrevocably designated a Redemption Date pursuant to subparagraph (5) hereof, Article Eleven and the duty of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series on registration of transfer or exchange; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied: (1) the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 402(c) hereof and the last paragraph of Section 1003 hereof) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (i) money, in the currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable, in an amount, or (ii) (except as provided in a supplemental indenture or Board Resolution with respect to such series) if Securities of such series are not subject to repurchase at the option of Holders, (A) U.S. Government Obligations (denominated in the same currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable) which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day -34- 45 before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this subparagraph (1) money in an amount or (B) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which the Trustee shall be instructed to apply to pay and discharge, (x) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or to and including the Redemption Date irrevocably designated by the Company pursuant to subparagraph (5) hereof and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series; (2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such provision would not cause any Outstanding Securities of such series then listed on any national securities exchange to be delisted as a result thereof; (3) no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default (including by reason of such deposit) with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date; (4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an unqualified opinion, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, of independent counsel of national standing selected by the Company and satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that (i) Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge, which opinion shall be based on a change in law or a ruling by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service after the date hereof and (ii) the defeasance trust is not, or is registered as, an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; (5) if the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited money or U.S. Government Obligations to pay or discharge the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of a series to and including a Redemption Date on which all of the Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed, such Redemption Date shall be irrevocably designated by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee on or prior to the date of deposit of such money or U.S. Government Obligations, and such Board Resolution shall be accompanied by an irrevocable Company Request that the Trustee give notice of such redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to such Redemption Date in accordance with Section 1104 hereof; and -35- 46 (6) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Securities have been complied with. ARTICLE FIVE EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES Section 501. Events of Default. "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be affected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) unless such event is either inapplicable to a particular series (to the extent expressly provided in the form of Security for such series) or it is specifically deleted or modified in the supplemental indenture creating such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series: (a) failure to pay interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such failure for a period of 30 days; or (b) failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity, and continuance of such failure for a period of three days; or (c) failure to pay any sinking fund installment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and continuance of such failure for a period of three days; or (d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty or obligation of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 501 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of any series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or (e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the -36- 47 Company seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or (g) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series. Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding described in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) of Section 501 hereof occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable upon the date which is 10 days after the date of such notice. If an Event of Default described in paragraph (e) or (f) of Section 501 hereof occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case, the principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities shall, without any notice to the Company or any other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities, become and be immediately due and payable. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been -37- 48 obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest, if any, on all Securities of that series, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed herefor in such Securities, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of and accrued interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513 hereof. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon. For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities. Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if (a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or (b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, then the Company will, upon written demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal (and -38- 49 premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated. If any Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights. Except as may otherwise be provided in a supplemental indenture or Board Resolution in or pursuant to which the terms of the related Securities shall have been established pursuant to Section 301 of this Indenture and which has been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default other than pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of Section 501 of this Indenture, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall be specifically notified in writing of such default by the Company, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities. Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and (iii) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607 hereof. -39- 50 Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. Section 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order with respect to the Securities of any series, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money shall have been collected and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607 hereof; SECOND: In case the principal and premium, if any, of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest, if any, on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and to the extent permitted by law) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate prescribed therefor in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference; THIRD: In case the principal or premium, if any, of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and to the extent permitted by law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and any premium and interest, without preference or priority of principal over interest, or -40- 51 of interest over principal or premium, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest; and FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. Section 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series; (2) the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307 hereof) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, -41- 52 respectively) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted. Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. Section 512. Control by Holders. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of a series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to more than one series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series, considered as one class, shall have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series; and provided that (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, -42- 53 (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and (3) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed would subject the Trustee to personal liability or expense for which reasonable indemnity has not been provided. Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. Section 514. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 514 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Dates, respectively). -43- 54 ARTICLE Six THE TRUSTEE Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of a default with respect to the Securities of any series, (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture. (b) In case a default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. (c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that (1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section 601; (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided in Section 512 hereof, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and (4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it -44- 55 shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. (d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 601. The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty and it shall not be answerable for other than its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct. Section 602. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(d) hereof with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 602, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series. Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 601 hereof and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act: (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in acting in good faith or refraining from acting in good faith 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 or presented by the proper party or parties; (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order or as otherwise expressly provided herein and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution; (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee deems it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate; -45- 56 (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to expend or risk its own funds or to exercise, at the request or direction of any of the Holders, any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled upon reasonable request to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the 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; and (h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder. Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for doing or performing any thing or act which the Company shall have covenanted to do or perform, or for any compliance with any covenant by the Company, nor, except as may be otherwise required by the Trust Indenture Act, shall the Trustee be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance of any covenant, condition or agreement by the Company, but it may require full information and advice in regard to any of the foregoing. Section 605. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613 hereof, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. -46- 57 Section 606. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company. Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as is agreed upon in writing, or, if no such agreement exists, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and shall have a lien therefor prior to the Securities on any and all property and funds at any time held or collected by it under this Indenture for such compensation; (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel, which compensation, expenses and disbursements shall be set forth in sufficient detail), and shall have a lien therefor prior to the Securities on any and all property and funds at any time held or collected by it under this Indenture for such expenses and disbursements, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct 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 of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. "Trustee" for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(e) or Section 501(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law. The provisions of this Section 607 shall survive the termination for any reason of this Indenture. Section 608. Conflicting Interests. The Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act during the period of time provided for therein. In determining whether the Trustee has a conflicting interest as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series, there shall be excluded for purposes of the conflicting interest provisions of such Section 310(b) the Securities of every other series issued under this Indenture. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. -47- 58 Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as trustee under the Trust Indenture Act and which shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If the Trustee does not have an office in The City of New York, the Trustee may appoint an agent in The City of New York reasonably acceptable to the Company to conduct any activities which the Trustee may be required under this Indenture to conduct in The City of New York. If the Trustee does not have an office in The City of New York or has not appointed an agent in The City of New York, the Trustee shall be a participant in The Depository Trust Company and FAST distribution systems. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal, State, or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 609, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 609, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611 hereof. (b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 hereof shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. (d) If at any time: (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Section 608 hereof with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be -48- 59 appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 514 hereof, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees. (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611 hereof. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611 hereof, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611 hereof, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. (f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the -49- 60 retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates subject nevertheless to its liens provided for in Section 607. (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 611, as the case may be. (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article. Section 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee 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. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such -50- 61 authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. (a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this Section 613, if the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company within three months prior to a default, as defined in Subsection (c) of this Section 613, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of the Securities and the holders of other indenture securities, as defined in Subsection (c) of this Section 613: (1) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected after the beginning of such three-month period and valid as against the Company and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the receipt or disposition of any property described in paragraph (2) of this Subsection, or from the exercise of any right of set-off which the Trustee could have exercised if a petition in bankruptcy had been filed by or against the Company upon the date of such default; and (2) all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claims as such creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition thereof, or otherwise, after the beginning of such three-month period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the rights, if any, of the Company and its other creditors in such property or such proceeds. Nothing herein contained, however, shall affect the right of the Trustee: (A) to retain for its own account (i) payments made on account of any such claim by any Person (other than the Company) who is liable thereon, and (ii) the proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third Person, and (iii) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in respect of claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Act or applicable State law; (B) to realize, for its own account, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held prior to the beginning of such three-month period; (C) to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the beginning of such three-month period and such property was received as security therefor simultaneously with the creation thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such property was so received the -51- 62 Trustee had no reasonable cause to believe that a default, as defined in Subsection (c) of this Section 613, would occur within three months; or (D) to receive payment on any claim referred to in paragraph (B) or (C), against the release of any property held as security for such claim as provided in paragraph (B) or (C), as the case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property. For the purposes of paragraphs (B), (C) and (D), property substituted after the beginning of such three-month period for property held as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair value of the property released, have the same status as the property released, and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is created in renewal of or in substitution for or for the purpose of repaying or refunding any pre-existing claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim. If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof shall be apportioned among the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Act or applicable State law, the same percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Company of the funds and property in such special account and before crediting to the respective claims of the Trustee and the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities dividends on claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Act or applicable State law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the Indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special account. As used in this paragraph, with respect to any claim, the term "dividends" shall include any distribution with respect to such claim, in bankruptcy or receivership or proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Act or applicable State law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such bankruptcy, receivership or proceedings for reorganization is pending shall have jurisdiction (i) to apportion among the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, the funds and property held in such special account and proceeds thereof, or (ii) in lieu of such apportionment, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this paragraph due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee and the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this paragraph as a mathematical formula. Any Trustee which has resigned or been removed after the beginning of such three-month period shall be subject to the provisions of this Subsection as though such resignation or removal -52- 63 had not occurred. If any Trustee has resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such three-month period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this Subsection if and only if the following conditions exist: (i) the receipt of property or reduction of claim, which would have given rise to the obligation to account, if such Trustee had continued as Trustee, occurred after the beginning of such three-month period; and (ii) such receipt of property or reduction of claim occurred within three months after such resignation or removal. (b) here shall be excluded from the operation of Subsection (a) of this Section 613 a creditor relationship arising from: (1) the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture, or any security or securities having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee; (2) advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by this Indenture, for the purpose of preserving any property which shall at any time be subject to the lien of this Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advances and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the Holders at the time and in the manner provided in this Indenture; (3) disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depository, or other similar capacity; (4) an Indebtedness created as a result of services rendered or premises rented; or an Indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction, as defined in Subsection (c) of this Section 613; (5) the ownership of stock or of other securities of a corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a creditor of the Company; and (6) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall within the classification of self-liquidating paper, as defined in Subsection (c) of this Section 613. (c) For the purposes of this Section 613 only: (1) the term "default" means any failure to make payment in full of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities or upon the other indenture securities when and as such principal or interest becomes due and payable; -53- 64 (2) the term "other indenture securities" means securities upon which the Company is an obligor (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) outstanding under any other indenture (i) under which the Trustee is also trustee, (ii) which contains provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section 613, and (iii) under which a default exists at the time of the apportionment of the funds and property held in such special account; (3) the term "cash transaction" means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; (4) the term "self-liquidating paper" means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation; (5) the term "Company" means any obligor upon the Securities; and (6) the term "Federal Bankruptcy Act" means the Bankruptcy Code or Title 11 of the United States Code. Section 614. Authenticating Agents. From time to time the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities with power to act on the Trustee's behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Securities of such series or in connection with transfers and exchanges under Sections 304, 305, 306, and 1107 hereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though the Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized by those Sections of this Indenture to authenticate and deliver Securities of such series. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Securities by an Authenticating Agent pursuant to this Section 614 shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Securities "by the Trustee". Each such Authenticating Agent must (a) be reasonably acceptable to the Company and (b) at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 614 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at -54- 65 any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 614, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 614. Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation or to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of the Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 614, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the Authenticating Agent or such successor corporation. An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 614, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 614. The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 614, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments pursuant to Section 607 hereof. If an appointment with respect to one or more series of Securities is made pursuant to this Section 614, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. Dated: ---------------------------- As Trustee -55- 66 ---------------------------- As Authenticating Agent ---------------------------- Administrative Officer ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Securities of each series (a) [semi-annually], not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, or, in the case of any series of Securities on which [semi-annual] interest is not payable, not more than 15 days after such [semi-annual] dates as may be specified by the Trustee, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date or [semi-annual] date, as the case may be, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee is Security Registrar for any series of Securities, no such list shall be required to be furnished with respect to any such series. Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 hereof and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 hereof upon receipt of a new list so furnished. -56- 67 (b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either (i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a) hereof, or (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a) hereof, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application. If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a) hereof a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application. (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 702(b) hereof, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 702(b) hereof. -57- 68 Section 703. Reports by Trustee. (a) Within 60 days after the first May 15 which occurs not less than 60 days following the first date of issuance of Securities of any series under this Indenture and within 60 days after May 15 in every year thereafter, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the following events which may have occurred within the previous 12 months (but if no such event has occurred within such period no report need be transmitted): (1) any change to its eligibility under Section 609 hereof and its qualifications under Section 608 hereof; (2) the creation of or any material change to a relationship specified in Section 608 hereof; (3) the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report, and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Securities, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of the Securities Outstanding on the date of such report; (4) any change to the amount, interest rate and maturity date of all other Indebtedness owing by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to the Trustee in its individual capacity, on the date of such report, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except an Indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in Sections 613(b)(2), (3), (4) or (6) hereof; (5) any change to the property and funds, if any, physically in the possession of the Trustee as such on the date of such report; (6) any release, or release and substitution, of property subject to the lien of this Indenture, if any (and the consideration therefor, if any) which it has not previously reported; (7) any additional issue of Securities which the Trustee has not previously reported; and (8) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties hereunder which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by the Trustee in accordance with Section 602 hereof. (b) The Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a brief report with respect to (1) the release, or release and -58- 69 substitution, of property subject to the lien of this Indenture (and the consideration therefor, if any) unless the fair value of such property, is less than 10% of the principal amount of Securities outstanding at the time of such release, or release and substitution, and (2) the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section 703 (or if no such report has yet been so transmitted, since the date of execution of this instrument) for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Securities, on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this Subsection, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or less of the principal amount of the Securities Outstanding at such time, such report to be transmitted within 90 days after such time. (c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each national securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any national securities exchange. Section 704. Reports by Company. The Company shall: (1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; (2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and (3) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section 704 as -59- 70 may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission. ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, SALE OR TRANSFER Section 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, sell or otherwise transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless: (a) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, sale or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, or other transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with. Section 802. Successor Corporation to be Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other corporation or any conveyance, sale or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, sale or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. -60- 71 ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES Section 901. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes: (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; (2) to add to the covenants of the Company, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company, for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, or the surrender of such rights or powers, are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; (3) to add any additional Events of Default; (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of extendible or remarketed Securities; (5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only as to the Securities of any series created by such supplemental indenture and Securities of any series subsequently created to which such change or elimination is made applicable by the subsequent supplemental indenture creating such series; (6) to secure all but not part of the Securities; (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 hereof; (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b) hereof; -61- 72 (9) to provide for any rights of the Holders of Securities of any series to require the repurchase of Securities of such series by the Company; (10) to cure any ambiguity or defect, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or the Securities or make any other changes herein or therein, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; (11) to modify, alter, amend or supplement this Indenture in any other respect which is not materially adverse to Holders, which does not involve a change described in clauses (1), (2) or (3) of Section 902 hereof; or (12) to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) all or any series of Securities may be surrendered for exchange and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities and this Indenture may be served. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture or at any time thereafter shall be amended and (x) if any such amendment shall require one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or shall by operation of law be deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or additional provisions; or (y) if any such amendment shall permit one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof which, at the date of the execution and delivery hereof or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to evidence such amendment hereof, provided such amendment does not have a material adverse effect on any Holders. -62- 73 Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest, if any, on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 hereof, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, respectively), (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences, or the declaration of certain defaults hereunder, provided for in this Indenture, or (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902 or Section 513 hereof, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section 902, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611(b) and 901(8) hereof. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. -63- 74 It shall not be necessary under this Section 902 that the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture be approved by an Act, provided that the substance of such proposed supplemental indenture shall have been approved. Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect. Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company so determines, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series and this Indenture. -64- 75 Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and, in such event, the Trustee shall act as the Company's agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company at any time acts as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. Whenever the Company has one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, no later than 11:00 a.m., New York Time, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum in immediately available funds sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act. The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003, that such Paying Agent will: (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; -65- 76 (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent. The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money. The Company initially authorizes the Trustee to act as Paying Agent for the Securities on its behalf. The Company may at any time and from time to time authorize one or more Persons to act as Paying Agent in addition to or in place of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities issued under this Indenture. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company. Section 1004. Corporate Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and will use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company. -66- 77 Section 1005. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all tangible properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1005 shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary. Section 1006. Maintenance of Insurance. The Company will maintain, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, with insurers the Company reasonably believes to be financially sound and reputable, insurance deemed adequate by the Company with respect to its properties and business and the properties and business of its Subsidiaries against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations in the same or similar business. Such insurance may be subject to co-insurance, deductibility or similar clauses which, in effect, result in self-insurance of certain losses, provided that such self-insurance is in accord with the practices of corporations in the same or similar business and adequate insurance reserves are maintained in connection with such self-insurance. Section 1007. Limitation on Liens. (a) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities in any way restricts or prevents the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from incurring any Indebtedness; provided that if this covenant is made applicable to the Securities of any particular series, the Company will not issue, assume or guarantee (including any contingent obligation to purchase) or permit to exist any Debt secured by a Lien upon any property of the Company, including the capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries, without effectively providing that the outstanding Securities (together with, if the Company so determines, any other indebtedness or obligation then existing or thereafter created ranking equally with the Securities) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured (provided, that for the purpose of providing such equal and ratable security, the principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series of Original Issue Discount Securities shall be such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series). This restriction will not, however, apply to: (i) Liens in existence on the date of the original issue of the Securities to which this restriction is made applicable including, without limitation, "stock forward" transactions; (ii) Liens created solely for the purpose of securing Debt incurred to finance, refinance or refund the purchase price or cost (including the cost of construction) of property acquired after the date hereof (by purchase, construction or otherwise), or Liens in favor of guarantors of obligations or Debt representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, such purchase price or cost, provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property so acquired and improvements thereon and provided further that such Liens are created no later than 24 months after the purchase or construction; (iii) Liens on any property or assets acquired from a corporation which is merged with or into the Company, which Liens are not created as a result of or in connection with or in anticipation of any such merger (unless such Liens were created to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such corporation); (iv) any Lien on any property or assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof and which is not created as a result of or in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition (unless such Lien was created to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or assets); or (v) any extension, renewal or replacement of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses, provided that the principal amount of Debt so secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or part of substantially the same property which secured the Lien extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property). (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may issue or assume Debt secured by Liens on cash of the Company which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate principal amount which does not at the time of issuance or assumption exceed $100 million. The following types of transactions shall not be deemed to create Debt secured by Liens: Liens required by any contract or statute in order to permit the Company to perform any contract or subcontract made by it with or at the request of a governmental entity or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, or to secure partial, progress, advance or any other payments to the Company by such governmental unit pursuant to the provisions of any contract or statute; and share forwards with respect to shares of the Company accounted for as equity transactions under applicable FASB guidelines wherein the shares collateralize the forward repayment obligation. Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before May 15 in each year, an Officers' Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by each signer of his duties as an officer of the Company he would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance and observance of any of the covenants contained in Sections 1001 to 1007 hereof, stating whether or not he has knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which such signer has knowledge and the nature thereof. Section 1009. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 801 or in Sections 1004 to 1007, inclusive, hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied: (1) the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 402(c) hereof and the last paragraph of Section 1003 hereof) with the Trustee (specifying that each deposit is pursuant to this Section 1009) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and -67- 78 dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount, or (ii) (except as provided in a supplemental indenture with respect to such series) if Securities of such series are not subject to repurchase at the option of Holders, (A) U.S. Government Obligations (denominated in the same currency or units of currency in which such Securities are payable) which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this subparagraph (1) money in an amount, or (B) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which the Trustee shall be instructed to apply to pay and discharge, (x) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or to and including the Redemption Date irrevocably designated by the Company pursuant to subparagraph (4) of this Section 1009 and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of the Securities of such series; (2) no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default (including by reason of such deposit) with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; (3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect (i) that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain, loss, or expense for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will take into account all items of income, gain, loss or expense with respect to the Securities at the same time and in the same manner as if such deposit and defeasance had not taken place; (ii) that such provision would not cause any outstanding Securities of such series then listed on any national securities exchange to be delisted as a result thereof; and (iii) that the defeasance trust is not, or is registered as, an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; (4) if the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited money or U.S. Government Obligations to pay or discharge the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of a series to and including a Redemption Date on which all of the Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed, such Redemption Date shall be irrevocably designated by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee on or prior to the date of deposit of such money or U.S. Government Obligations, and such Board Resolution shall be accompanied by an irrevocable Company Request that the Trustee give notice of such redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company not less than 30 -68- 79 nor more than 60 days prior to such Redemption Date in accordance with Section 1104 hereof; and (5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Securities have been complied with. Section 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 801 or in Sections 1004 to 1007, inclusive, hereof, with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect. Section 1011. Further Assurances. The Company shall, at its own cost and expense, execute and deliver to the Trustee all such other documents, instruments and agreements and do all such other acts and things as may be reasonably required, in the opinion of the Trustee, to enable the Trustee to exercise and enforce its rights under this Indenture and under the documents, instruments and agreements required under this Indenture and to carry out the intent of this Indenture. Section 1012. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. If this covenant is made applicable to the Senior Notes of any series, the Company will not enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless either: (1) the Company would be entitled pursuant to Section 1007 hereof to create Debt secured by a Lien on the property to be leased back in an amount equal to the Attributable Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction without the Senior Notes being effectively secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) that Debt; or (2) the Company, within 270 days after the sale or transfer of the relevant assets shall have been made, applies, in the case of a sale or transfer for cash, an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale or, in the case of a sale or transfer otherwise than for cash, an amount equal to the fair market value of the property so leased (as determined by any two trustees of the Company) to: (a) the retirement of long-term Indebtedness of the Company ranking prior to or on a parity with the Senior Notes or (b) the investment in any property used in the ordinary course of business by the Company. ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES Section 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 hereof for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven. Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be authorized by a Board Resolution and evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or pursuant to an election by the Company which is subject to a -69- 80 condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition. Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Security Registrar at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement which is an Affiliate of the Company. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. Section 1104. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall state: (1) the Redemption Date, (2) the Redemption Price (if known), (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed, -70- 81 (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date, (5) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, (6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, (7) the CUSIP or ISIN numbers, if any, assigned to such Securities (if then generally in use); provided, however, that such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of the CUSIP or ISIN numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption, in which case none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any liability in respect of the use of any CUSIP or ISIN number or numbers on such notices, and the redemption of such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers, and (8) such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003 hereof) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date (to the extent that such amounts are not already on deposit at such time in accordance with the provisions of Sections 401, 403 or 1009 hereof). Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307 hereof. -71- 82 If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security. Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security (including any Global Security) which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; provided, that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the new Global Security shall be in a denomination equal to the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS Section 1201. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 hereof for Securities of such series. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202 hereof. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series. Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Company or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 309 hereof, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 1202, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Company through any optional redemption provision contained in the -72- 83 terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund Redemption Price specified in such Securities. Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying (a) the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, (b) whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right, if any, to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series on the next ensuing sinking fund payment date and, if so, the amount of such optional sinking fund payment, and (c) the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202 hereof, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such written statement and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect therefor and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 1203. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 hereof and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104 hereof. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1105, 1106 and 1107 hereof. The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Security of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest with respect to Securities of that series or an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default, shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article Five and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 hereof or the default or Event of Default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section 1203 to the redemption of such Securities. -73- 84 ARTICLE THIRTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING Section 1301. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series. Section 1302. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. (a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, for any purpose specified in Section 1301, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine, or, with the approval of the Company, at any other place. Notice of every such meeting, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided herein, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting. (b) If the Trustee shall have been requested to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, by the Company or by the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of all of such series, considered as one class, for any purpose specified in Section 1301, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in such other place as shall be determined or approved by the Company, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section. (c) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series are present in person or by proxy and if representatives of the Company and the Trustee are present, or if notice is waived in writing before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series, or by such of them as are not present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and by the Company and the Trustee. Section 1303. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to attend any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled -74- 85 to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel. Section 1304. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series with respect to which a meeting shall have been called as hereinbefore provided, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting which this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within one hour of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Except as provided by Section 1305(e), notice of the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for more than 30 days shall be given as provided in Section 1302(a) not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum. Except as limited by the provisions of this Indenture, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series with respect to which such meeting shall have been called, considered as one class; provided, however, that, except as so limited, any resolution with respect to any action which this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such meeting shall have been held, whether or not present or represented at the meeting. -75- 86 Section 1305. Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. (a) Attendance at meetings of Holders of Securities may be in person or by proxy; and, to the extent permitted by law, any such proxy shall remain in effect and be binding upon any future Holder of the Securities with respect to which it was given unless and until specifically revoked by the Holder or future Holder of such Securities before being voted. (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities in regard to proof of the holding of such Securities and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof. (c) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 1302(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series represented at the meeting, considered as one class. (d) At any meeting each Holder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security or proxy. (e) Any meeting duly called pursuant to Section 1302 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series represented at the meeting, considered as one class; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice. Section 1306. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities, of the series with respect to which the meeting shall have been called, held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record of -76- 87 the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1302 and, if applicable, Section 1304. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated. Section 1307. Action Without Meeting. In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinbefore contemplated in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by written instruments as provided in Section 104. ARTICLE FOURTEEN MISCELLANEOUS Section 1401. Counterparts. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Section 1402. Liability of Trustees and Shareholders. The Declaration of Trust of the Company provides that no shareholder of the Company shall be held to any liability whatever for the payment of any sum of money, or for damages or otherwise under any contract, obligation or undertaking made, entered into or issued by the trustees of the Company or by any officer, agent or representative elected or appointed by the trustees and no such contract, obligation or undertaking shall be enforceable against the trustees or any of them in their or his individual capacities or capacity and all such contracts, obligations and undertakings shall be enforceable only against the trustees as such, and every person, firm, association, trust and corporation having any claim or demand arising out of any such contract, obligation or undertaking shall look only to the trust estate for the payment or satisfaction thereof. -77- 88 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written. [Seal] NORTHEAST UTILITIES By -------------------------- Name: Title: Attest: - ------------------------------- Name: Title: Secretary [Seal] THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee By -------------------------- Name: Title: Attest: - ------------------------------- Name: Title: 89 [______________] OF [________________]) : ss. : COUNTY OF [__________________________]) On the ____ DAY OF __________, 2001, before me personally came _______________________, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is a ______________ of Northeast Utilities, one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. [______________] OF [________________]) _________ : ss. : COUNTY OF [__________________________]) On the ____ day of ___________, 2001, before me personally came ____________, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is a ______________ of [________________], A [___________________] banking corporation, one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. EX-5 4 y45127ex5.txt EXHIBIT 5 1 Exhibit 5 Day, Berry & Howard LLP CityPlace I Hartford, CT 06103-3499 February 7, 2001 Northeast Utilities 174 Brush Hill Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089 RE: Northeast Utilities Senior Notes Ladies and Gentlemen: We are acting as counsel for Northeast Utilities, a voluntary association organized under the laws of Massachusetts (the "Company"), in connection with the proposed public offering from time to time of up $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes"), to be issued in one or more series pursuant to a Senior Note Indenture (the "Senior Note Indenture"), proposed to be entered into between the Company and The Bank of New York, as amended by one or more Supplemental Indentures to be entered into in connection with the creation and issuance of each series of Senior Notes (each, a "Supplemental Indenture"). In connection with the proposed offering, the Company proposes to file a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering the Senior Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for sale pursuant to one or more underwriting or similar agreements (each, an "Underwriting Agreement"). We have examined originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Company, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and other documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to various questions of fact material to such opinions we have, when relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon certifications by officers of the Company and other appropriate persons and statements contained in the Registration Statement. Based on the foregoing, and having regard to legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Senior Note Indenture is duly authorized, executed and delivered, (ii) all applicable approvals have been received by the Company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, (iii) the Senior Note Indenture is duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (iv) the Supplemental Indenture with respect to a series of Senior Notes has been duly authorized, executed and 2 delivered, and (v) the Senior Notes of such series have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and the applicable Supplemental Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the applicable Underwriting Agreement, the Senior Notes of such series will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of, and subject to the provisions of, the Senior Note Indenture and the applicable Supplemental Indenture, except (a) as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights, and (b) that such enforceability may be limited by the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including without limitation (i) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedies and (ii) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing. We do not express any opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New York and the Federal laws of the United States of America. We hereby consent to the reference to us under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, /s/ Day, Berry & Howard LLP --------------------------- DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LLP -2- EX-12 5 y45127ex12.txt EXHIBIT 12 1 NORTHEAST UTILITIES Exhibit 12 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Thousands of Dollars)
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR 12 MONTHS 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 SEP-00 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------- Earnings, as defined: Net income (loss) before extraordinary item $ 282,434 $ 38,929 $ (129,962) $ (146,753) $ 34,216 $ 136,662 Income taxes 261,970 96,110 1,948 5,939 98,611 152,117 Equity in earnings of regional nuclear generating and transmission companies (3,094) (6,649) (4,653) (1,456) (2,905) (4,559) Minority interest 8,732 9,300 9,300 9,300 9,300 9,300 Fixed charges, as below 321,185 298,193 291,348 292,622 279,851 301,367 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total earnings, as defined: $ 871,227 $ 435,883 $ 167,981 $ 159,652 $ 419,073 $ 594,887 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Fixed Charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt $ 315,862 $ 285,463 $ 282,095 $ 273,824 $ 258,093 $ 218,661 Other interest (16,644) (7,470) (10,114) (4,735) 5,558 70,495 Rental interest factor 21,967 20,200 19,367 23,533 16,200 12,211 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges, as defined $ 321,185 $ 298,193 $ 291,348 $ 292,622 $ 279,851 $ 301,367 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.71 1.46 0.58 0.55 1.50 1.97 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
EX-15 6 y45127ex15.txt EXHIBIT 15 1 Exhibit 15 To Northeast Utilities: We are aware that Northeast Utilities has incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement its Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and September 30, 2000, which includes our reports dated May 10, 2000, August 9, 2000 and November 9, 2000, respectively, covering the unaudited interim financial information contained therein. Pursuant to Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1933, that report is not considered a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by our firm or a report prepared or certified by our firm within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Hartford, Connecticut February 5, 2001 EX-23.1 7 y45127ex23-1.txt EXHIBIT 23.1 1 Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 25, 2000 included in the Northeast Utilities Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Hartford, Connecticut February 5, 2001 EX-25 8 y45127ex25.txt EXHIBIT 25 1 Exhibit 25 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ------------ THE BANK OF NEW YORK (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter) New York 13-5160382 (Jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer if not a U.S. national bank) Identification No.) One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) NORTHEAST UTILITIES (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) Massachusetts 04-214792 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 174 Brush Hill Avenue West Springfield, Massachusetts 01089 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) SENIOR NOTES* (Title of the indenture securities) *Specific title(s) to be determined in connection with issuance(s) of Senior Notes. 2 ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.* Furnish the following information as to the Trustee: (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. Superintendent of Banks of the 2 Rector Street, New York, N.Y. 10006 State of New York and Albany, N.Y. 12203 Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10045 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 550 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. York Clearing House Association 20429 New York, N.Y. 10005 (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. Yes. ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation. None. (See Note on page 2.) ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS. Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R. Section229.10(d). 1. - A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.) 4. - A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.) 6. - The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-44051.) 7. - A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. *Pursuant to General Instruction B, the Trustee has responded only to Items 1, 2 and 16 of this form since to the best of the knowledge of the Trustee the obligor is not in default under any indenture under which the Trustee is a trustee. 3 NOTE Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is being filed prior to the ascertainment by the Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer to said Item is based on incomplete information. Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an amendment to this Form T-1. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 5th day of February, 2001. THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ GEOVANNI BARRIS -------------------------------- Geovanni Barris Vice President -2- 4 EXHIBIT 7 (Page 1 of 3) Consolidated Report of Condition of THE BANK OF NEW YORK of One Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286 And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30, 2000, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
Dollar Amounts ASSETS in Thousands - ------ -------------- Cash and balances due from depository institutions: Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .............. $ 4,194,838 Interest-bearing balances ............ 4,596,320 Securities: Held-to-maturity securities .......... 837,052 Available-for-sale securities ........ 4,877,379 Federal funds sold and Securities purchased under agreements to resell 3,085,401 Loans and lease financing receivables: Loans and leases, net of unearned income ............................. 37,707,721 LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ....................... 598,990 LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve ............................ 12,370 Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve ..... 37,096,361 Trading Assets ......................... 10,039,718 Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) .................. 740,743 Other real estate owned ................ 4,714 Investments in unconsolidated subsid- iaries and associated companies ...... 178,845 Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding .............. 887,442 Intangible assets ...................... 1,353,079 Other assets ........................... 4,982,250 ----------- Total assets ........................... $72,874,142 ===========
5 EXHIBIT 7 (Page 2 of 3)
LIABILITIES Deposits: In domestic offices ....................... $ 26,812,643 Noninterest-bearing ....................... 11,206,758 Interest-bearing .......................... 15,605,885 In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs .......... 26,338,068 Noninterest-bearing ....................... 520,061 Interest-bearing .......................... 25,818,007 Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ....... 1,789,285 Demand notes issued to the U.S. ............. Treasury .................................. 100,000 Trading liabilities ......................... 2,440,940 Other borrowed money: With remaining maturity of one year or less 1,581,151 With remaining maturity of more than one year through three years ............ 0 With remaining maturity of more than three years ........................... 31,080 Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .................. 889,948 Subordinated notes and debentures ........... 1,652,000 Other liabilities ........................... 4,914,363 ------------ Total liabilities ........................... 66,549,478 ------------ EQUITY CAPITAL Common stock ................................ 1,135,285 Surplus ..................................... 988,327 Undivided profits and capital reserves .................................. 4,242,906 Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities .......... (11,848) Accumulated net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges .......................... 0 Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ................... (30,006) ------------ Total equity capital ........................ 6,324,664 ------------ Total liabilities and equity capital ........ $ 72,874,142 ============
6 EXHIBIT 7 (Page 3 of 3) I, Thomas J. Mastro, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Thomas J. Mastro We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and correct. Thomas A. Renyi ) Gerald L. Hassell ) Directors Alan R. Griffith ) -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----