0001213900-20-023655.txt : 20200825 0001213900-20-023655.hdr.sgml : 20200825 20200825160708 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001213900-20-023655 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20200825 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20200825 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000767405 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 341395608 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-248406 FILM NUMBER: 201132329 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 401 CLINTON ST CITY: DEFIANCE STATE: OH ZIP: 43512 BUSINESS PHONE: 4197838930 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 401 CLINTON STREET STREET 2: PO BOX 467 CITY: DEFIANCE STATE: OH ZIP: 43512 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 S-3 1 ea125967-s3_sbfinancialgroup.htm REGISTRATION STATEMENT

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2020

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio   34-1395608
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)

 

 

 

401 Clinton Street

Defiance, Ohio 43512

(419) 783-8950

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Anthony V. Cosentino

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SB Financial Group, Inc.

401 Clinton Street

Defiance, Ohio 43512

(419) 783-3663

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copies of Correspondence to:

 

Curtis A. Loveland, Esq.

Jeremy D. Siegfried, Esq.

Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 2800

Columbus, Ohio 43215-6194

(614) 227-2181

(614) 227-2100 (fax)

jsiegfried@porterwright.com

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” and “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

 

Calculation of Registration Fee

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered  Amount to be
Registered
(1)(2)(3)
   Proposed
maximum
offering
price per
unit (3)
   Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price (3)(4)(5)
   Amount of
registration
fee (3)
 
Common Shares, without par value                                    
Preferred Shares, without par value                    
Depositary Shares                    
Debt Securities (6)                    
Warrants                    
Units (7)                    
Total            $30,000,000   $3,894 

 

(1)Also includes an indeterminate number of shares of each identified class as may be issued by the registrant upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities that provide for such issuance. Except as provided in Rule 426(b) under the Securities Act, in no event will the aggregate offering price of all types of securities issued by the Registrant pursuant to this registration statement exceed $30,000,000,000.

 

(2)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.

 

(3)Pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3, the table lists each of the classes of securities being registered and the aggregate proceeds to be raised, but does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit, and proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

 

(4)The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely to calculate the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

(5)Includes consideration received by us, if applicable, for registered securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other registered securities.

 

(6)May consist of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then such greater amount as may be sold for an initial aggregate offering price up to the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

 

(7)Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement or indenture and will represent an interest in two or more securities, which may or may not be separable from one another.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated August 25, 2020

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

$30,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

 

 

 

We may offer from time to time to sell any combination of the securities listed above in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on the terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. The aggregate offering price of our shares sold under this prospectus will not exceed $30,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We will sell these securities directly to our shareholders or to purchasers or through agents on our behalf or through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide the names of the agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts.

 

On August 24, 2020, the closing price of our common stock was $14.18 per share.

 

Trading symbol: Nasdaq Capital Market – SBFG

 

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors referred to on page 3 of this prospectus and set forth in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, before making any decision to invest in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of anyone’s investment in these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The securities are not savings accounts, deposits or obligations of any bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

 

The date of this prospectus is _________, 2020

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
About This Prospectus 1
About SB Financial Group, Inc. 2
Risk Factors 3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 3
Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference 5
Use of Proceeds 6
Description of Common Stock 6
Description of Preferred Stock 9
Description of Depositary Shares 11
Description of Debt Securities 12
Description of Warrants 14
Description of Units 16
Plan of Distribution 16
Legal Matters 17
Experts 17

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer to sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $30,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including all documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, together with additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” and “SB Financial” to refer to SB Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

 

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ABOUT SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

 

We are a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”).

 

Through our direct and indirect subsidiaries we engage in a variety of activities, including commercial banking, item processing, and wealth management services, as explained in more detail below. Our subsidiary, The State Bank and Trust Company (“State Bank”), is an Ohio state-chartered bank, which offers a full range of commercial banking services, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and time certificates of deposit; automatic teller machines; commercial, consumer, agricultural and residential mortgage loans; personal and corporate trust services; commercial leasing; bank credit card services; safe deposit box rentals; Internet banking; private client group services; and other personalized banking services. The trust and financial services division of State Bank offers various trust and financial services, including asset management services for individuals and corporate employee benefit plans, as well as brokerage services through Cetera Financial Group, an unaffiliated company. State Bank presently operates twenty banking centers, all located within the Ohio counties of Allen, Defiance, Franklin, Fulton, Hancock, Lucas, Paulding, Wood and Williams, and one banking center located in Allen County, Indiana. State Bank also presently operates five loan production offices in Franklin, Lucas and Seneca Counties, Ohio, Steuben County, Indiana and Monroe County, Michigan. At December 31, 2019, State Bank had 252 full-time equivalent employees.

 

SBFG Title, LLC dba Peak Title Agency (“SBFG Title”) is an Ohio limited liability company and our wholly owned subsidiary that was organized in March 2019. SBFG Title purchased all of the assets and real estate of an Ohio-based title agency effective March 15, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, SBFG Title had five full-time equivalent employees.

 

RFCBC, Inc. (“RFCBC”) is an Ohio corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary that was incorporated in August 2004. RFCBC operates as a loan subsidiary in servicing and working out problem loans. RFCBC is presently inactive and at December 31, 2019, RFCBC had no employees.

 

Rurban Mortgage Company (“RMC”) is an Ohio corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of State Bank. RMC is a mortgage company and is presently inactive. At December 31, 2019, RMC had no employees.

 

SBT Insurance (“SBI”) is an Ohio corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of State Bank. SBI is an insurance company that engages in the sale of insurance products to retail and commercial customers of State Bank. At December 31, 2019, SBI had no employees.

 

SB Captive (“SB Captive”) is a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SB Financial. SB Captive is a self-insurance company that provides coverage to State Bank and SB Financial. The purpose of the Captive is to mitigate insurance risk by participating in a pool with other banks. At December 31, 2019, SB Captive, Inc. had no employees.

 

Rurban Statutory Trust II (“RST II”) is a trust that was organized in August 2005. In September 2005, RST II closed a pooled private offering of 10,000 capital securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security. The proceeds of the offering were loaned to the Company in exchange for junior subordinated debentures with terms similar to the capital securities. The sole assets of RST II are the junior subordinated debentures and the back-up obligations, which in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of RST II under the capital securities.

 

We are an Ohio corporation, organized in 1983. Our executive offices are located at 401 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512, and our telephone number is (419) 783-8950. Our corporate website address is www.YourSBFinancial.com. This reference to our website is a textual reference only. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the risk factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other reports, as well as any other information appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. These risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Special Note Regarding Forwarding Looking Statements.”

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include: (a) projections of income or expense, earnings per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (b) statements of plans and objectives of the Company or our Board of Directors or management, including those relating to products and services; (c) statements of future economic performance; (d) statements of future customer attraction or retention; and (e) statements of assumptions underlying these statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. We sometimes use words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “may,” “would be,” “will allow,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “will remain,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, our management and our industry, to identify forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements are subject to significant uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those predicted because they are based upon or are affected by factors and possible events, including:

 

changes in economic and political conditions;

 

changes in fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies;

 

our ability to manage interest rate risks;

 

actual loan losses in excess of our allowance for loan losses;

 

increased FDIC insurance premiums;

 

a transition away from London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as a reference rate for financial contracts;

 

a default by one or more larger financial institutions;

 

non-compliance with the laws and regulations that govern our operations, corporate governance, executive compensation, and financial accounting or reporting;

 

legislative or regulatory changes or actions;

 

changes in tax laws;

 

our ability to attract and retain key personnel;

 

our dependence upon the accuracy and completeness of information provided by our customers;

 

our ability to pay cash dividends;

 

our inability to grow and manage growth;

 

inability to realize anticipated benefits from future acquisitions;

 

a limited trading market for our common shares;

 

fluctuations and price volatility in the market price of our common shares;

 

investors made subject to regulatory restrictions upon ownership of our common shares;

 

our anti-takeover devices making it more difficult for another company to purchase us, even though such a purchase may increase shareholder value;

 

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the use of estimates in the preparation of our financial statements may vary from actual results;

 

changes in accounting standards;

 

interruptions or security breaches in our information systems;

 

unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client information or security breaches;

 

noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations;

 

fraudulent activity;

 

the ability of third parties to perform significant operational services on our behalf;

 

our ability to raise additional capital on terms acceptable to us or at all;

 

competition within our market area;

 

increased legal and regulatory risks related to our residential mortgage business;

 

potential negative impacts from required repurchases, substitutions or indemnifications related to mortgage loans we have sold;

 

our ability to update our technology in order to compete and meet customer demands;

 

climate change, severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, pandemics and other external events

 

the continued spread or prolonged impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and
   
 increased risk of litigation related to our processing of loans for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program.

 

You should read this prospectus, the documents that we filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our future results may be materially different from what we expect. Forward-looking statements speak only as of that date on which they are made. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly for any reason.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

AND INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the securities to be sold by us pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.  Our Commission filings are available to the public over the Internet at the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov or on our website at www.YourSBFinancial.com. You may also read and copy any document we file with the Commission at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our Commission filings are also available at the office of the Nasdaq Stock Market, One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, New York 10006. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the Nasdaq Stock Market, you should call 212-401-8700.

 

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the Commission (Commission file number 000-13507), which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.  The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus.  Information that we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus will automatically update this prospectus.  We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, and any filings we make with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus (except for information furnished and not filed with the Commission in a Current Report on Form 8-K):

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Commission on March 6, 2020;

 

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, filed with the Commission on May 7, 2020 and August 10, 2020, respectively;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2020, June 24, 2020, June 8, 2020 (excluding Item 7.01 and Item 9.01), and April 17, 2020 (in each case, SEC File No. 0-13507).

 

our Definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the Commission on March 6, 2020; and

 

the description of our common shares, which is contained in our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on September 22, 2014 (File No. 333-198879), as amended by the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed with the Commission on November 6, 2014, as updated in any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: SB Financial Group, Inc., P.O. Box 467, Defiance, Ohio 43512, Attention: Anthony V. Cosentino, telephone number (419) 785-3663, email SBFG.IR@YourStateBank.com.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include additions to working capital, repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness and financing capital expenditures and acquisitions. We will set forth in the particular prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds we receive from the sale of our securities under such prospectus supplement.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following description of our common stock is only a summary and is subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and code of regulations, which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and provisions of applicable law.

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue 10,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value. Each common share of the Company entitles the holder to one vote for the election of directors and for all other matters submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their consideration. Our articles of incorporation provide that shareholders do not have the right to vote cumulatively in the election of directors. Our shareholders do not have pre-emptive rights. Each common share of the Company entitles the holder thereof to share ratably in the Company’s net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders in the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors or provision for such payment. The holders of our common shares do not have subscription or conversion rights, and there are no mandatory redemption provisions applicable to the Company’s common shares. We may pay dividends on our outstanding common shares in accordance with the terms of the Ohio General Corporation Law. The Ohio General Corporation Law generally provides that the board of directors may declare and pay dividends to shareholders, provided that the dividend does not exceed the combination of the surplus of the corporation, which is defined generally as the excess of the corporation’s assets plus stated capital over its liabilities, and is not in violation of the rights of the holders of shares of any other class. In addition, no dividend may be paid when a corporation is insolvent or there is reasonable ground to believe that by payment of the dividend the corporation would be rendered insolvent. All shares outstanding before this offering are, and the shares to be issued in this offering will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights, preferences and privileges of holders of any classes or series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future. As of August 7, 2020, 7,646,786 shares of common stock were outstanding.

 

Classified board of directors and election of directors

 

Our articles of incorporation provide for a classified board of directors consisting of not less than nine directors, with the directors divided into three classes and elected for three-year terms. Each year the term of one class expires. As a result, approximately one-third of the directors are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders. This can delay the ability of a significant shareholder or group of shareholders to gain control of our board of directors.

 

Our code of regulations provide that the number of directors cannot be fewer than nine nor more than 15, Currently, our board of directors consists of nine directors. Pursuant to the code of regulations, any change in the number of directors cannot have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director; and no action may be taken to increase the number of directors unless at least two-thirds of the directors then in office concur in such action. A director or directors may be removed from office, only by the vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise not less than 80% of the voting power of the Company entitling them to elect directors in place of those to be removed. Under the Ohio General Corporation Law, the removal of a director or directors of the Company may only be effected for cause. This will prevent a shareholder or group of shareholders from removing incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of the board by filling the vacancies created by removals with their own nominees.

 

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Failure to elect a director to fill the unexpired term of any director removed shall be deemed to create a vacancy in the board. Under Ohio law, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation or code of regulations otherwise provide, the remaining directors of a corporation may fill any vacancy on the board by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. Vacancies at the Company, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the whole authorized number of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least four-fifths of the outstanding voting power of the corporation voting at a meeting of the shareholders called for such purpose or in any other manner provided by law, the articles or the code of regulations.

 

Our code of regulations requires that notice in writing of proposed shareholder nominations for the election of directors be given to our secretary prior to the meeting. The notice must contain certain information about the non-incumbent nominee, including name, age, business or residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee, and the number of common shares of the company owned beneficially and/or of record by each such nominee and the length of time any such shares have been so owned.

 

Pursuant to our code of regulations, special meetings of shareholders may be called only by the following: the chairman of the board, the president or, in case of the president’s absence, death, or disability, the vice president authorized to exercise the authority of the president; a majority of the directors acting with or without a meeting; or the holders of at least 25% of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

To be timely, shareholder notice of a nomination for election of a director at an annual meeting must be received by the secretary of the Company on or before the later of (i) February l, immediately preceding such annual meeting or (ii) the 60th day prior to the first anniversary of the most recent annual meeting of shareholders held for the election of directors; provided, however, that if the annual meeting for the election of directors in any year is

not held on or before the 31st day next following such anniversary, then the written notice must be received by the secretary within a reasonable time prior to the date of such annual meeting. In the case of a nominee proposed by a shareholder for election as a director at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected, such written notice of a proposed nominee shall be received by the secretary no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which notice of the special meeting was mailed to shareholders.

 

Supermajority voting requirement

 

Our articles of incorporation provide that, notwithstanding any provision of the Ohio General Corporation law requiring for any purpose the vote, consent, waiver or release of holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds or any other proportion of the voting power of the Company, such action, unless otherwise provided by statute, may be taken by the vote, consent, waiver or release of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Company.

 

However, our articles of incorporation provide that, unless two-thirds of the whole authorized number of directors recommends the approval of the following matters, such matters require the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise at least 80% of the Company’s voting power:

 

a proposed amendment to the articles;

 

proposed new regulations, or an alteration, amendment or repeal of the regulations;

 

an agreement providing for the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one or more other corporations;

 

a proposed combination or majority share acquisition involving the issuance of shares of the Company and requiring shareholder approval;

 

a proposal to sell, lease, or exchange all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company;

 

a proposed dissolution of the Company; or

 

a proposal to fix or create the number of directors by action of the shareholders of the Company.

 

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Shareholder vote required to approve business combinations with principal shareholders

 

Our articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise at least 80% of the voting power of the Company and the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares not held by a “Controlling Person,” to approve certain “Business Combinations.” A “Controlling Person” is any shareholder who beneficially owns shares entitling the shareholder to exercise 20% or more of the voting power of the Company in the election of directors. A “Business Combination” is defined to include:

 

any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into a Controlling Person or an affiliate or associate of a Controlling Person;

 

any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Company or a subsidiary, including, without limitation, any voting securities of a subsidiary of the Company, to a Controlling Person or an affiliate or associate of a Controlling Person;

 

any merger into the Company or a subsidiary of the Company of a Controlling Person or an affiliate or associate of a Controlling Person;

 

any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or any part of the assets of a Controlling Person or an affiliate or associate of a Controlling Person to the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, excluding certain insignificant sales or dispositions;

 

any reclassification of the common shares of the Company, or any recapitalization involving the common shares of the Company consummated within five years after the Controlling Person becomes a Controlling Person; and

 

any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the above transactions.

 

The shareholder vote requirements described above do not apply, however, if the Business Combination will result in an involuntary sale, redemption, cancellation or other termination of ownership of all common shares of the Company owned by shareholders who do not vote in favor of, or consent in writing to, the Business Combination and the consideration to be received by such shareholders is at least equal to the “Minimum Price Per Share,” as defined in our articles of incorporation.

 

Anti-takeover statutes

 

Certain state laws make a change in control of the Company more difficult, even if desired by the holders of the majority of our common shares. Provided below is a summary of the Ohio anti-takeover statutes.

 

Ohio Control Share Acquisition Statute. The Ohio Revised Code provides in Section 1701.831 that specified notice and informational filings and special shareholder meetings and voting procedures must occur before consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition.” A control share acquisition is defined as any acquisition of an issuer’s shares that would entitle the acquirer to exercise or direct the voting power of the issuer in the election of directors within any of the following ranges:

 

one-fifth or more, but less than one-third, of the voting power;

 

one-third or more, but less than a majority, of the voting power; or

 

a majority or more of the voting power.

 

Assuming compliance with the notice and information filing requirements, the proposed control share acquisition may take place only if, at a duly convened special meeting of shareholders, the acquisition is approved by both a majority of the voting power of the issuer represented at the meeting and a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the intended acquirer and the directors and officers of the issuer. The control share acquisition statute does not apply to a corporation whose articles of incorporation or regulations so provide. We have not opted out of the application of the control share acquisition statute.

 

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Ohio Merger Moratorium Statute. Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits specified business combinations and transactions between an “issuing public corporation” and an “interested shareholder” for at least three years after the interested shareholder attains 10% ownership, unless the board of directors of the issuing public corporation approves the transaction before the interested shareholder attains 10% ownership. An interested shareholder is a person who owns 10% or more of the shares of the corporation. An issuing public corporation is defined as an Ohio corporation with 50 or more shareholders that has its principal place of business, principal executive offices, or substantial assets within the State of Ohio, and as to which no close corporation agreement exists. Examples of transactions regulated by the merger moratorium provisions include mergers, consolidations, voluntary dissolutions, the disposition of assets and the transfer of shares. After the three-year period, a moratorium transaction may take place provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that:

 

the board of directors approves the transaction;

 

the transaction is approved by the holders of shares with at least two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation (or a different proportion set forth in the articles of incorporation), including at least a majority of the outstanding shares after excluding shares controlled by the interested shareholder; or

 

the business combination results in shareholders, other than the interested shareholder, receiving a fair price plus interest for their shares, as determined in accordance with the statute.

 

Although the merger moratorium provisions may apply, a corporation may elect not to be covered by the merger moratorium provisions, or subsequently elect to be covered, with an appropriate amendment to its articles of incorporation. We have not opted out of the Ohio merger moratorium statute.

 

Ohio Anti-Greenmail Statute. Pursuant to the Ohio Anti-Greenmail Statute, a public corporation formed in Ohio may recover profits that a shareholder makes from the sale of the corporation’s securities within 18 months after making a proposal to acquire control or publicly disclosing the possibility of a proposal to acquire control. The corporation may not, however, recover from a person who proves either: (1) that his sole purpose in making the proposal was to succeed in acquiring control of the corporation and there were reasonable grounds to believe that he would acquire control of the corporation; or (2) that his purpose was not to increase any profit or decrease any loss in the stock. Also, before the corporation may obtain any recovery, the aggregate amount of the profit realized by such person must exceed $250,000. Any shareholder may bring an action on behalf of the corporation if a corporation refuses to bring an action to recover these profits. The party bringing such an action may recover his attorneys’ fees if the court having jurisdiction over such action orders recovery of any profits.

 

The Anti-Greenmail Statute does not apply to a corporation if its articles of incorporation or code of regulations so provide. We have not opted out of the application of the Anti-Greenmail Statute.

 

Limitation of Director Liability

 

Under the Ohio General Corporation Law, a director’s liability to us or our shareholders for damages is limited to only those situations where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that his act or failure to act was undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to us or undertaken with reckless disregard for our best interests and those situations involving unlawful loans, asset distributions, dividend payments or share repurchases. As a result, shareholders may be unable to recover monetary damages against directors for actions that constitute gross negligence or that are in violation of their fiduciary duties, although it may be possible to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief with respect to such actions. If equitable remedies are found not to be available to shareholders for any particular case, shareholders may not have any effective remedy against the challenged conduct.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Registrar and Transfer Company located in Cranford, New Jersey.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following description of our preferred stock is only a summary and is subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and code of regulations, which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and provisions of applicable law.

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue, without further action by the holders of our common stock, up to 200,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, from time to time, with such rights, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions upon, the preferred shares, as may be provided in the amendment or amendments to the articles adopted by our board of directors. As of August 25, 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

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The authority of our board of directors includes, but is not limited to, the determination or fixing of the following with respect to preferred shares of any series: the division of such shares into series and the designation and authorized number of shares of each series; dividend or distribution rights; dividend rate; liquidation rights, preferences and price, redemption rights and price; sinking fund requirements; voting rights; pre-emptive rights; conversion rights; restrictions on the issuance of shares; and other relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. Prior to the issuance of a new series of preferred stock, we will amend our articles of incorporation by filing a certificate of amendment that will designate the number of shares of that series and the terms of that series.

 

The terms of any particular series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of preferred stock, including, where applicable:

 

the title and stated value of such preferred stock;

 

the number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such preferred stock;

 

the dividend rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred stock;

 

whether such preferred stock is cumulative or not and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on such preferred stock shall accumulate;

 

the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred stock;

 

the provision for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred stock;

 

any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange;

 

preemptive rights, if any;

 

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such preferred stock will be converted into our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);

 

a discussion of any material federal income tax consequences applicable to an investment in such preferred stock;

 

the relative ranking and preferences of such preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company;

 

any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company;

 

any voting rights of such preferred stock; and

 

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such preferred stock.

 

The issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock. For example, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will, upon issuance, rank senior to the common stock and on a parity in all respects with each other outstanding series of preferred stock. The rights of the holders of our preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our creditors. The description of any series of preferred stock that may be issued is qualified by reference to the provisions of the applicable certificate of amendment establishing the terms of such series.

 

Under Ohio law, absent a determination by our board of directors to establish different voting rights, holders of preferred shares would be entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted upon by the holders of common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. Ohio law would also entitle the holders of preferred shares to exercise a class vote on certain matters.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

We may elect to offer fractional shares of our preferred stock. If we do elect to offer fractional shares of our preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. These rights may include dividend or distribution rights, liquidation rights, redemption rights, voting rights, preemptive rights, conversion rights, and other relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.   

 

Depositary and Deposit Agreement

 

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary, under a deposit agreement by and among us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed with the Commission at or prior to any offering of depositary shares and may be obtained from us upon request.

 

Distributions and Dividends

 

The depositary will distribute to the record owners of depositary shares, in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by such owners on the relevant record date, all cash dividends or other distributions received in respect of the common stock or preferred stock underlying such depositary shares.

  

Withdrawal of Shares

 

Unless we say otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying common stock or preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. In no event will fractional shares of common stock or preferred stock be delivered upon surrender of depositary receipts to the depositary.

 

Liquidation Proceeds

 

In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, each depositary share will be entitled to the applicable fraction of the liquidation amount or liquidation preference accorded to the underlying share of common stock or preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

  

Voting the Common Stock or Preferred Stock

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the common stock or preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record owners of the depositary shares relating to such common stock or preferred stock. Each record owner of such depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying common stock or preferred stock, as applicable) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the shares of preferred stock or common stock underlying such owner’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of common stock or preferred stock underlying such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all action which the depositary deems necessary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting the underlying shares of common stock or preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the owners of the applicable depositary shares. The depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote, as long as such action or inaction is in good faith and does not result from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the owners of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the owners of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.

 

Charges of Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of underlying common stock or preferred stock and any redemption of such common stock or preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay all other transfer taxes and the other taxes and charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement.

   

Miscellaneous

 

The depositary will forward to owners of depositary shares all reports and communications from us which we furnish to the holders of the common stock or preferred stock.

 

As of August 25, 2020, there were no depositary shares outstanding.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The following is a description of the material features, terms and provisions of debt securities that we may offer. This summary does not purport to be exhaustive and may not contain all the information that is important to you. Therefore, you should read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities and any other offering materials that we may provide.

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be limited in the number of debt securities that we may issue, and neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets. Thus, by owning debt securities, you are one of our unsecured creditors.

 

We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. As a result, claims of holders of debt securities will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries (including, without limitation, State Bank), except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of those subsidiaries. In addition, our right to participate as a shareholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of debt securities to benefit from such distribution as our creditors) is junior to creditors of each subsidiary, including depositors of State Bank.

 

We may issue senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities under one or separate indentures, which may be supplemented or amended from time to time. Indentures are referred to individually in this prospectus as the “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” The particular terms of a series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities. Any indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act, as amended, and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following their execution and will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or incorporated therein by reference.

 

Any indentures will contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section of the prospectus. Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities or any applicable indentures. This summary is therefore subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any applicable indenture, including any definitions of terms used in such indenture. Your rights will be defined by the terms of any applicable indenture, not the summary provided herein. This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of a particular series of debt securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements.

 

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The debt securities may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars. We may also issue debt securities, from time to time, with the principal amount, interest or other amounts payable on any relevant payment date to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices, indices or any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance. In addition, we may issue debt securities as part of any units issued by us. All references in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to other amounts will include premiums, if any, other cash amounts payable under the applicable indenture, and the delivery of securities or baskets of securities under the terms of the debt securities. Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate, which may be zero, or a floating rate.

 

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below market rates and will be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. A prospectus supplement relating to an issue of original issue discount securities will contain information relating to federal income tax, accounting, and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our preferred stock, common stock or other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our preferred stock, common stock or other securities that holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

We will generally have no obligation to repurchase, redeem, or change the terms of debt securities upon any event (including a merger, consolidation, change in control or disposition of substantially all of our assets) that might have an adverse effect on our credit quality.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will set forth the price or prices at which the debt securities will be offered, and will contain the specific terms of the debt securities of that series. These terms may include, without limitation, the following:

 

the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior debt securities or subordinate debt securities;

 

the amount of debt securities issued and any limit on the amount that may be issued;

 

the price(s) (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

if other than the principal amount of those debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of those debt securities;

 

the maturity date or dates, or the method for determining the maturity date or dates, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable and any rights of extension;

 

the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method of determining the rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any;

 

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable, the regular related record dates and whether we may elect to extend or defer such interest payment dates;

 

the place or places where payments will be payable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us may be served;

 

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option, if we are to have such an option;

 

our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which, or the date and dates on which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

 

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the currency or currencies in which the debt securities may be purchased, are denominated and are payable, and the related terms and conditions;

 

whether the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies or with reference to changes in prices of particular securities or commodities, and the manner in which the amounts are to be determined;

 

any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of the debt securities with respect to events of default, amendments, merger, consolidation and sale, or covenants set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

whether the debt securities will be in registered or bearer form or both and, if in registered form, their denominations, if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

if the debt securities will be issuable only in global form, the depositary or its nominee with respect to the debt securities and the circumstances under which the global security may be registered for transfer or exchange in the name of a person other than the depositary or its nominee;

 

the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture and any additional or different terms on

 

which the series of debt securities may be defeased;

 

whether and the extent to which the debt securities will be guaranteed, any guarantors and the form of any guarantee;

 

whether the debt securities can be converted into or exchanged for other securities of the Company and the related terms and conditions;

 

in the case of senior subordinated debt securities, any provisions relating to any modification of the subordination provisions described elsewhere in this prospectus;

 

whether the debt securities will be sold as part of units consisting of debt securities and other securities;

 

whether the debt securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry form;

 

if the debt securities are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for the debt securities to be authenticated and delivered;

 

any trustee, depositary, authenticating agent, paying agent, transfer agent, registrar or other agent with respect to the debt securities; and any other terms of the debt securities.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will only issue the debt securities in fully registered form without coupons.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will initially be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee. Interest on debt securities may be paid by check mailed to the persons entitled to the payments at their addresses appearing on the security register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States and will be payable on any interest payment date to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the regular record date with respect to the interest payment date.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as the paying agent. We may designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue, separately or together with other securities, warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock. We may issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent would act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of the series being offered and would not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

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This section, along with the description in the applicable prospectus supplement, is a summary of certain provisions of the forms of warrant agreements and warrant certificates and is not complete. We urge you to read any applicable warrant agreements and warrant certificates, because those documents, and not these descriptions, define your rights as a holder of warrants. We will file copies of the forms of the warrant agreements and warrant certificates as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or an amendment thereto, or as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

the title of the warrants;

 

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such warrants;

 

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

if applicable, a discussion of the material federal income tax considerations applicable to the warrants;

 

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which the right shall expire;

 

the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time;

 

whether the warrants are to be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

whether the warrants are extendible and the period or periods of such extendibility; and

 

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase for cash the amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price as will in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the purchased securities. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

 

Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, that holder’s warrant(s).

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following description summarizes the general provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. One or more prospectus supplements relating to a specific offer of units will provide additional information regarding the terms of the units. You should read any prospectus supplement related to the specific units being offered, as well as the provisions of any units agreements that provide the specific terms of such units.

 

We may issue units comprised of two or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination and in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent.

 

Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

 

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

 

the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;

 

federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and

 

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Depositary Shares,” “Description of Debt Securities,” and “Description of Warrants,” will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities separately or together:

 

through one or more underwriters or dealers in a public offering and sale by them;

 

through agents; and/or

 

directly to one or more purchasers.

 

We may distribute the securities 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.

 

We may solicit directly offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. We will name in a prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities.

 

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

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If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.

 

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we will pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with any derivative transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the shares offered hereby has been passed upon for us by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 2900, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by BKD, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which are incorporated herein by reference.  Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

17

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the expenses expected to be incurred by our company in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.

 

SEC registration fee   $3,894 
Legal fees and expenses    ** 
Accounting fees    ** 
Printing expenses    ** 
Miscellaneous    

**

 
      
Total   $

**

 

 

**Estimated expenses are presently not known and cannot be estimated.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 1701.13 of the Ohio General Corporation Law provides that directors and officers of Ohio corporations may, under certain circumstances, be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and other liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by them as a result of any suit brought against them in their capacity as a director or officer, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Section 1701.13 provides that directors and officers may also be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by them in connection with a derivative suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made without court approval if such person was adjudged liable to the corporation.

 

Our code of regulations contains the following provisions with respect to the indemnification of directors and officers:

 

Section 5.01. Indemnification. The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action threatened or instituted directly by the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation or any present or former director or officer of the corporation who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 5.02. Discretionary Indemnification. The corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative by reason of the fact that he is or was an employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

II-1

 

 

The corporation may also indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit which is threatened or instituted by the corporation directly (rather than a derivative action in the right of the corporation) to produce a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation or any present or former director or officer of the corporation who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him, judgments and amounts paid in connection with such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance County, Ohio or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such Court of Common Pleas or such other court shall deem proper.

 

Section 5.03. Indemnification for Expenses. To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 5.02 hereof, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be promptly indemnified by the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

 

Section 5.04. Determination Required. Any indemnification under Sections 5.01 and 5.02 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only upon a determination that the indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 5.01 and 5.02. Such determination shall be made (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not and are not parties to, or threatened with, such action, suit or proceeding or (B) if such a quorum is not obtainable or if a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel, or (C) by the shareholders. Any determination made by the disinterested directors or by independent legal counsel under this Section 5.04 to provide indemnity under Section 5.01 or 5.02 to a person threatened or sued in the right of the corporation (derivatively) shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought the derivative action or suit in the right of the corporation, and such person shall have the right, within 10 days after receipt of such notification, to petition the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance County, Ohio or the court in which action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such determination.

 

Section 5.05. Advances for Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding referred to in Sections 5.01 and 5.02 may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent to repays such amount, unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article Five.

 

Section 5.06. Article Five Not Exclusive. The indemnification provided by this Article Five shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Articles or the Regulations or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 5.07. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article Five.

 

II-2

 

 

Section 5.08. Definition of “the Corporation”. As used in this Article Five, references to “the corporation” include all constituent corporations in a consolidation or merger and the new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of such a constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article Five with respect to the new or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving corporation in the same capacity.

 

The Company has purchased insurance coverage under policies that insure directors and officers against certain liabilities that might be incurred by them in their capacities as directors and officers.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

The documents listed below are filed with this Registration Statement as exhibits or incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference as noted:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

     
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement*
     
3.1   Amended Articles of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (File No. 01-36785)).
     

3.2

  Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State on April 27, 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017) (File No. 01-36785).
     
3.3   Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State on April 30, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997) (File No. 0-13507).
     
3.4   Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State on May 27, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2011) (File No. 0-13507).
     
3.5   Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State on April 12, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2013 (File No. 0-13507)).
     
3.6   Certificate of Amendment by Directors or Incorporators to the Articles of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State on November 6, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 0-13507)).
     
3.7   Amended Articles of the Company, reflecting amendments through November 6, 2014 (For SEC compliance purposes only – not filed with Secretary State) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017) (File No. 01-36785).
     
3.8   Amended and Restated Regulations of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 0-13507).
     
3.9   Certificate Regarding Adoption of Amendment to Section 2.01 of the Amended and Restated Regulations of the Company by the Shareholders on April 16, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 22, 2009) (File No. 0-13507)).

 

II-3

 

 

4.1   Form of Depositary Receipt of the Company*
     
4.2   Form of Deposit Agreement*
     
4.3   Indenture, dated as of September 15, 2005, by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005) (File No. 0-13507).
     
4.4   Form of Articles of Amendment Establishing a Series of Preferred Stock.*
     
4.5   Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.*
     
4.6   Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture.
     
4.7   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.
     
4.8   Form of Warrant.*
     
4.9   Form of Warrant Agreement.*
     
4.10   Form of Unit Agreement.*
     
5.1   Opinion of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP.
     
23.1   Consent of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
     
23.2   Consent of BKD, LLP.
     
24.1   Power of Attorney.

 

 

*If applicable, to be filed as an exhibit to an amendment to this Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

II-4

 

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

 

Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those 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, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act 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 the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

 

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

II-5

 

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement 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.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to the directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(6) That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933,

 

(i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement at the time it was declared effective.

 

(ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

II-6

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Defiance, State of Ohio, on August 25, 2020.

 

  SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Anthony V. Cosentino
    Anthony V. Cosentino, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 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.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Mark A. Klein   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer   August 25, 2020
Mark A. Klein        
         
/s/ Anthony V. Cosentino   Executive Vice President and  Chief Financial Officer   August 25, 2020
Anthony V. Cosentino        
         
*George W. Carter   Director   August 25, 2020
George W. Carter        
         
*Robert A. Fawcett, Jr.   Director   August 25, 2020
Robert A. Fawcett, Jr.        
         
*Gaylyn J. Finn   Director   August 25, 2020
Gaylyn J. Finn        
         
*Richard L. Hardgrove   Director   August 25, 2020
Richard L. Hardgrove        
         
*Tom R. Helberg   Director   August 25, 2020
Tom R. Helberg        
         
*Rita A. Kissner   Director   August 25, 2020
Rita A. Kissner        
         
*Mark A. Klein   Director   August 25, 2020
Mark A. Klein        
         
*William G. Martin   Director   August 25, 2020
William G. Martin          
         
*Timothy J. Stolly   Director   August 25, 2020
Timothy J. Stolly        

 

*By: /s/ Anthony V. Cosentino  
  Anthony V. Cosentino, attorney-in-fact for each of the persons indicated  

 

 

II-7

 

 

EX-4.6 2 ea125967ex4-6_sbfinancial.htm FORM OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES INDENTURE

Exhibit 4.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

 

INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF__ , 20__

 

_______________________________, TRUSTEE

 

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 1
     
SECTION 1.1. Definitions 1
SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions 3
SECTION 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 3
SECTION 1.4. Rules of Construction 4
     
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES 4
     
SECTION 2.1. Issuable in Series 4
SECTION 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities 4
SECTION 2.3. Execution and Authentication 6
SECTION 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent 6
SECTION 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 7
SECTION 2.6. Securityholder Lists 7
SECTION 2.7. Transfer and Exchange 7
SECTION 2.8. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 7
SECTION 2.9. Outstanding Securities 8
SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities 8
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities 8
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation 8
SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest 9
SECTION 2.14. Global Securities 9
SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers 10
     
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION 10
     
SECTION 3.1. Noticed to Trustee 10
SECTION 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed 10
SECTION 3.3. Notice of Redemption 10
SECTION 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption 11
SECTION 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price 11
SECTION 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part 11
     
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS 11
     
SECTION 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest 11
SECTION 4.2. SEC Reports 11
SECTION 4.3. Compliance Certificate 11
SECTION 4.4. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws 12

  

i

 

 

SECTION 4.5. Corporate Existence 12
SECTION 4.6. Taxes 12
     
ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS 12
     
SECTION 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc. 12
SECTION 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted 12
     
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES 13
     
SECTION 6.1. Events of Default 13
SECTION 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 14
SECTION 6.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 14
SECTION 6.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 15
SECTION 6.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 15
SECTION 6.6. Application of Money Collected 15
SECTION 6.7. Limitation on Suits 15
SECTION 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest 16
SECTION 6.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 16
SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 16
SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver 16
SECTION 6.12. Control by Holders 16
SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults 17
SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs 17
     
ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE 17
     
SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee 17
SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee 18
SECTION 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee 19
SECTION 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer 19
SECTION 7.5. Notice of Defaults 19
SECTION 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders 19
SECTION 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity 19
SECTION 7.8. Replacement of Trustee 20
SECTION 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. 21
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 21
SECTION 7.11. Referential Collection of Claims Against Company 21
     
ARTICLE VIII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE 21
     
SECTION 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 21

  

ii

 

 

SECTION 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification 22
SECTION 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series 22
SECTION 8.4. Covenant Defeasance 23
SECTION 8.5. Repayment to Company 24
     
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS 24
     
SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders 24
SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders 24
SECTION 9.3. Limitations 25
SECTION 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act 25
SECTION 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents 25
SECTION 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 26
SECTION 9.7. Trustee Protected 26
     
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS 26
     
SECTION 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls 26
SECTION 10.2. Notices 26
SECTION 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders 27
SECTION 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 27
SECTION 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 27
SECTION 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents 27
SECTION 10.7. Legal Holidays 27
SECTION 10.8. No Recourse Against Others 27
SECTION 10.9. Counterparts 27
SECTION 10.10. Governing Laws 28
SECTION 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements 28
SECTION 10.12. Successors 28
SECTION 10.13. Severability 28
SECTION 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. 28
     
ARTICLE XI SINKING FUNDS 28
     
SECTION 11.1. Applicability of Article 28
SECTION 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 29
SECTION 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 29

 

iii

 

  

  CROSS REFERENCE TABLE  
Trust  
Indenture   Indenture
Act Section   Section
Section 310 (a)(1) 7.10
  (a)(2) 7.10
  (a)(3) N/A
  (a)(4) N/A
  (a)(5) 7.10
  (b) 7.10
Section 311 (a) 7.11
  (b) 7.11
  (c) N/A
Section 312 (a) 2.6
  (b) 10.3
  (c) 10.3
Section 313 (a) 7.6
  (b)(1) 7.6
  (b)(2) 7.6
  (c)(1) 7.6
  (d) 7.6
Section 314 (a) 4.2, 10.5
  (b) N/A
  (c)(1) 10.4
  (c)(2) 10.4
  (c)(3) N/A
  (d) N/A
  (e) 10.5
  (f) N/A
Section 315 (a) 7.1
  (b) 7.5
  (c) 7.1
  (d) 7.1
  (e) 6.14
Section 316 (a) 2.10
  (a)(1)(A) 6.12
  (a)(1)(B) 6.13
  (b) 6.8
Section 317 (a)(1) 6.3
  (a)(2) 6.4
  (b) 2.5
Section 318 (a) 10.1

  

* This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

Indenture dated as of _______ ___, 20__ between SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., an Ohio corporation (“Company”), and ________________________________, as trustee (“Trustee”). Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1. Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

 

“Bearer” means anyone in possession from time to time of a Bearer Security.

 

“Bearer Security” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

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

 

“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of Defiance, Ohio on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.

 

“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

 

“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, its President or an Executive Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer or its Corporate Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.

 

“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.

 

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

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

 

“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

 

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and shall include the form and terms of a particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

 

“Interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

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

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.

 

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“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

 

“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

“Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

 

“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, 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 the 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 evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions.

 

  Term   Defined in
Section
       
  “Bankruptcy Law”   6.1
  “Custodian”   6.1
  “Event of Default”   6.1
  “Legal Holiday”   10.7
  “mandatory sinking fund payment”   11.1
  “optional sinking fund payment”   11.1
  “Paying Agent”   2.4
  “Registrar”   2.4
  “Service Agent”   2.4
  “successor person”   5.1

 

SECTION 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

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“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

 

SECTION 1.4. Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)references to “generally accepted accounting principles” and “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;

 

(d)“or” is not exclusive;

 

(e)words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

 

(f)provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

 

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.1. Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

 

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.17) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:

 

2.1.1the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

 

2.1.2the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

 

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2.1.3 any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

 

2.1.4 the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

 

2.1.5 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

2.1.6 the place or places where the principal of, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

2.1.7 if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

 

2.1.8 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions, or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

2.1.9 the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

 

2.1.10 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

 

2.1.11 the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);

 

2.1.12 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.1.13 the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;

 

2.1.14 any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.1.15 any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

 

2.1.16 any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and

 

2.1.17 any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.

 

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

 

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SECTION 2.3. Execution and Authentication.

 

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

 

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Vice Presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

 

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The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

 

SECTION 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.6. Securityholder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities, and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

 

SECTION 2.7. Transfer and Exchange.

 

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

 

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

SECTION 2.8. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefore 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 make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 2.9. Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, and the Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare, and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate, definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.12. Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver such canceled Securities to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs; provided that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy Securities. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

SECTION 2.14. Global Securities.

 

2.13.1 Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

 

2.13.2 Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if: (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event; (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable; or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

 

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

 

2.13.3 Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”

 

2.13.4 Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

 

2.13.5 Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

 

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2.13.6 Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers.

 

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

 

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.1. Noticed to Trustee.

 

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

 

SECTION 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.3. Notice of Redemption.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper. The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(a)the redemption date;

 

(b)the redemption price;

 

(c)the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(d)that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(e)that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

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(f)the CUSIP number, if any; and

 

(g)any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

 

SECTION 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date, provided 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 at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

 

SECTION 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.2. SEC Reports.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC 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 SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate).

 

SECTION 4.3. Compliance Certificate.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he/she may have knowledge).

 

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The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.4. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.5. Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article V, 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 the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license 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 and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.6. Taxes.

 

The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

 

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

(a)the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

 

(b)immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

 

SECTION 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition 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 person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.1. Events of Default.  “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

 

(a)default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or

 

(b)default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

 

(c)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or

 

(d)default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in this Section 6.1 and other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than a majority in 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 Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(iv)makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(v)generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

 

(f)a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

(iii)orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

 

(g)any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

 

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The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or (f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been 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 all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.3. 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;

 

(b)default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof; or

 

(c)default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security;

 

then, the Company will, upon 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 interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and 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 deemed 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 an Event of Default with respect to any 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, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

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SECTION 6.4. 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: (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal 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 (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and 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, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

 

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 6.5. 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 6.6. Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities 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 7.7;

 

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: To the Company.

 

SECTION 6.7. 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:

 

(a)such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

 

(b)the Holders of at least a majority 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;

 

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(c)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;

 

(d)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e)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 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal 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 interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) 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 6.9. 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 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, 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, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.11. 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 6.12. Control by Holders.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any 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 that:

 

(a)such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

(b)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

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(c)subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in 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 (i) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which 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 6.14. Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s 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, suffered 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 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, 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 interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

 

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

(b)Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

 

(ii)in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c)The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

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(ii)the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii)the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

 

(d)Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

(e)The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless the Trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(h)The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate.

 

(c)The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.

 

(d)The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith.

 

(e)The Trustee may consult with counsel and the 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 without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(f)The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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(g)The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(h)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.

 

(i)The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

 

SECTION 7.5. Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

 

SECTION 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

 

SECTION 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

 

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.8. Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

 

(a)the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(b)the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c)a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

 

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SECTION 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11. Referential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

 

(a)either:

 

(i)all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, or (2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) 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; and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

(c)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 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

 

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SECTION 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

 

(a)Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest 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 8.3 or 8.4.

 

(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 or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 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 Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 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 Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

 

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.16, to be inapplicable to 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 (d) 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 (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest, and (ii) the benefit of 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 the Securities of such Series;

 

(b)the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.5; and

 

(c)the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(d)the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

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(e)such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(f)no Default or Event of Default 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;

 

(g)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

 

(h)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

 

(i)the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.4. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.16 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(a)With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, 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 each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

(b)Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

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(c)No Default or Event of Default 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;

 

(d)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(e)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.5. Repayment to Company.

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

 

(a)to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b)to comply with Article V;

 

(c)to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

 

(d)to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

 

(e)to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

 

(f)to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

 

(g)to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.3. Limitations.

 

Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

 

(a)reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

 

(c)reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

 

(d)reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

(e)waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(f)make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

 

(g)make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3 (this sentence); or

 

(h)waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security.

 

SECTION 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

 

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

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SECTION 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.7. Trustee Protected.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

SECTION 10.2. Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

 

if to the Company:

 

SB Financial Group, Inc.

401 Clinton Street,

Defiance, Ohio 43512

Attention: ______________________

Telephone: (419) ________________

 

if to the Trustee:

_______________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Attention:_____________________

Telephone: ( )___________________

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to such Securityholder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it. If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

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SECTION 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

 

(a)a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 10.7. Legal Holidays.

 

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 10.8. No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

SECTION 10.9. Counterparts.

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

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SECTION 10.10. Governing Laws.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

SECTION 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 10.12. Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

SECTION 10.13. Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

ARTICLE XI

SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 11.1. Applicability of Article.

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

 

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SECTION 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities, (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption), and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

 

SECTION 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

Attest:

 

  SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
     
  By:        
  Name:  
  Its:  

 

Attest:

 

  [TRUSTEE]
     
  By:        
  Name  
  Its:  

 

 

30

 

EX-4.7 3 ea125967ex4-7_sbfinancial.htm FORM OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES INDENTURE

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

 

INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF __, 20__

 

_______________________________, TRUSTEE

 

SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 1
   
SECTION 1.1. Definitions 1
SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions 4
SECTION 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 4
SECTION 1.4. Rules of Construction 5
     
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES 5
   
SECTION 2.1. Issuable in Series 5
SECTION 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities 5
SECTION 2.3. Execution and Authentication 7
SECTION 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent 7
SECTION 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 8
SECTION 2.6. Securityholder Lists. 8
SECTION 2.7. Transfer and Exchange. 8
SECTION 2.8. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 8
SECTION 2.9. Outstanding Securities 9
SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities 9
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities 9
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation 9
SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest 10
SECTION 2.14. Global Securities 10
SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers 11
     
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION 11
   
SECTION 3.1. Noticed to Trustee 11
SECTION 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed 11
SECTION 3.3. Notice of Redemption. 11
SECTION 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption 12
SECTION 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price 12
SECTION 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part 12
     
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS 12
   
SECTION 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest 12
SECTION 4.2. SEC Reports 12
SECTION 4.3. Compliance Certificate 12
SECTION 4.4. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws 13
SECTION 4.5. Corporate Existence 13
SECTION 4.6. Taxes 13

 

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ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS 13
   
SECTION 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc. 13
SECTION 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted 13
     
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES 14
   
SECTION 6.1. Events of Default 14
SECTION 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 15
SECTION 6.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 15
SECTION 6.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 15
SECTION 6.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 16
SECTION 6.6. Application of Money Collected 16
SECTION 6.7. Limitation on Suits 16
SECTION 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest 17
SECTION 6.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 17
SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 17
SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver 17
SECTION 6.12. Control by Holders 17
SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults 18
SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs 18
     
ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE 18
   
SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee 18
SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee 19
SECTION 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee 20
SECTION 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer 20
SECTION 7.5. Notice of Defaults 20
SECTION 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders 20
SECTION 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity 20
SECTION 7.8. Replacement of Trustee 21
SECTION 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. 22
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 22
SECTION 7.11. Referential Collection of Claims Against Company 22
     
ARTICLE VIII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE 22
   
SECTION 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 22
SECTION 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification 23
SECTION 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series 23
SECTION 8.4. Covenant Defeasance 24
SECTION 8.5. Repayment to Company 25

 

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ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS 25
   
SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders 25
SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders 25
SECTION 9.3. Limitations 26
SECTION 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act 26
SECTION 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents 26
SECTION 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 26
SECTION 9.7. Trustee Protected 26
     
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS 27
   
SECTION 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls 27
SECTION 10.2. Notices 27
SECTION 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders 27
SECTION 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 27
SECTION 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 28
SECTION 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents 28
SECTION 10.7. Legal Holidays 28
SECTION 10.8. No Recourse Against Others 28
SECTION 10.9. Counterparts 28
SECTION 10.10. Governing Laws 28
SECTION 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements 29
SECTION 10.12. Successors 29
SECTION 10.13. Severability 29
SECTION 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. 29
     
ARTICLE XI SINKING FUNDS 29
   
SECTION 11.1. Applicability of Article 29
SECTION 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 29
SECTION 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 30
     
ARTICLE XII SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES 30
   
SECTION 12.1. Agreement of Subordination 30
SECTION 12.2. Payments to Holders 30
SECTION 12.3. Subrogation of Securities 32
SECTION 12.4. Authorization to Effect Subordination 33
SECTION 12.5. Notice to Trustee 33
SECTION 12.6. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness 33
SECTION 12.7. No Impairment of Subordination 34
SECTION 12.8. Article Applicable to Paying Agents 34
SECTION 12.9. Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely 34

 

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  CROSS REFERENCE TABLE  

Trust Indenture

     

Indenture

Act Section       Section
Section 310   (a)(1)   7.10
    (a)(2)   7.10
    (a)(3)   N/A
    (a)(4)   N/A
    (a)(5)   7.10
    (b)   7.10
Section 311   (a)   7.11
    (b)   7.11
    (c)   N/A
Section 312   (a)   2.6
    (b)   10.3
    (c)   10.3
Section 313   (a)   7.6
    (b)(1)   7.6
    (b)(2)   7.6
    (c)(1)   7.6
    (d)   7.6
Section 314   (a)   4.2, 10.5
    (b)   N/A
    (c)(1)   10.4
    (c)(2)   10.4
    (c)(3)   N/A
    (d)   N/A
    (e)   10.5
    (f)   N/A
Section 315   (a)   7.1
    (b)   7.5
    (c)   7.1
    (d)   7.1
    (e)   6.14
Section 316   (a)   2.10
    (a)(1)(A)   6.12
    (a)(1)(B)   6.13
    (b)   6.8
Section 317   (a)(1)   6.3
    (a)(2)   6.4
    (b)   2.5
Section 318   (a)   10.1

 

 

 

*This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indenture dated as of _______ ___, 20__ between SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., an Ohio corporation (“Company”), and ________________________________, as trustee (“Trustee”). Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1. Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

 

“Bearer” means anyone in possession from time to time of a Bearer Security.

 

“Bearer Security” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

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

 

“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of Defiance, Ohio on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.

 

“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

 

“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, its President or an Executive Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer or its Corporate Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

 

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“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.

 

“Designated Senior Indebtedness” means any senior indebtedness of the Company that expressly provides that it is “designated senior indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture (provided that the instrument, agreement or other document creating or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).

 

“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.

 

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

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

 

“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

 

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

 

“indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person for borrowed money (including obligations of the Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services), (b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances, (c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases of such person required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance sheet of such person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which provides that such person is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (d) all obligations of such person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement, all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another person of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d), (e) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a) through (d) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by such person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such person and (f) any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and shall include the form and terms of a particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

 

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“Interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

 

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

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

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

 

“Representative” means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior Indebtedness or (b) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that does not have any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Indebtedness issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness, any holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of all other such Senior Indebtedness, the holder or owner of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future Indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. However, Senior Indebtedness does not include: (i) Indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to the Securities; (ii) our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries; and (iii) the Securities.

 

“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

 

“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

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“Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

 

“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, 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 the 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 evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Bankruptcy Law”   6.1
“Custodian”   6.1
“Event of Default”   6.1
“Legal Holiday”   10.7
“mandatory sinking fund payment”   11.1
“optional sinking fund payment”   11.1
“Paying Agent”   2.4
“Payment Blockage Notice”   12.2
“Registrar”   2.4
“Service Agent”   2.4
“successor person”   5.1

 

SECTION 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

 

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SECTION 1.4. Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

  (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) references to “generally accepted accounting principles” and “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;

 

  (d) “or” is not exclusive;

 

  (e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

 

  (f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

 

ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.1. Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, but all Securities issued hereunder shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company

 

SECTION 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

 

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.17) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:

 

2.1.1 the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

 

2.1.2 the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

 

2.1.3 any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

 

2.1.4 the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

 

2.1.5 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

2.1.6 the place or places where the principal of, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

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2.1.7 if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

 

2.1.8 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions, or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

2.1.9 the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

 

2.1.10 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

 

2.1.11 the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);

 

2.1.12 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.1.13 the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;

 

2.1.14 any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.1.15 any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

 

2.1.16 any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and

 

2.1.17 any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein.

 

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

 

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SECTION 2.3. Execution and Authentication.

 

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

 

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Vice Presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

 

The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

 

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SECTION 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.6. Securityholder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities, and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

 

SECTION 2.7. Transfer and Exchange.

 

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

 

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

SECTION 2.8. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefore 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 make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

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Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 2.9. Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, and the Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare, and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate, definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.12. Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver such canceled Securities to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs; provided that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy Securities. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

SECTION 2.14. Global Securities.

 

2.13.1 Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

 

2.13.2 Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if: (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event; (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable; or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

 

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

 

2.13.3 Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”

 

2.13.4 Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

 

2.13.5 Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

 

2.13.6 Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers.

 

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

 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.1. Noticed to Trustee.

 

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

 

SECTION 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.3. Notice of Redemption.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper. The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

 

  (a) the redemption date;

 

  (b) the redemption price;

 

  (c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

  (d) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

  (e) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

  (f) the CUSIP number, if any; and

 

  (g) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

 

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SECTION 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date, provided 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 at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

 

SECTION 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.2. SEC Reports.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC 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 SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate).

 

SECTION 4.3. Compliance Certificate.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he/she may have knowledge).

 

The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 4.4. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.5. Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article V, 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 the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license 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 and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.6. Taxes.

 

The Company shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

  (a) the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

 

  (b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

 

SECTION 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition 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 person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.1. Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

 

  (a) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or

 

  (b) default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

 

  (c) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or

 

  (d) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in this Section 6.1 and other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than a majority in 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 Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

  (i) commences a voluntary case;

 

  (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

  (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

  (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

  (v) generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

 

  (f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

  (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;

 

  (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

  (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

 

  (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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SECTION 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or (f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been 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 all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.3. 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;

 

  (b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof; or

 

  (c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security;

 

then, the Company will, upon 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 interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and 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 deemed 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 an Event of Default with respect to any 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, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

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SECTION 6.4. 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: (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal 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 (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and 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, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

 

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 6.5. 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 6.6. Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities 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 7.7;

 

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: To the Company.

 

SECTION 6.7. 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:

 

  (a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

 

  (b) the Holders of at least a majority 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;

 

  (c) 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;

 

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  (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

  (e) 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 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal 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 interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) 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 6.9. 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 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, 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, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.11. 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 6.12. Control by Holders.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any 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 that:

 

  (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

  (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

  (c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

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SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in 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 (i) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which 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 6.14. Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s 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, suffered 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 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, 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 interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee.

 

  (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

  (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

  (i) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

 

  (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

  (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

  (i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

  (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

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  (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

 

  (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

  (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless the Trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

  (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

  (g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

 

  (h) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee.

 

  (a) The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

  (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate.

 

  (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.

 

  (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith.

 

  (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the 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 without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

  (f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

  (g) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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  (h) 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.

 

  (i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

 

SECTION 7.5. Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

 

SECTION 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

 

SECTION 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

 

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.8. Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

 

  (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

  (b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

  (c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

  (d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

 

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SECTION 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11. Referential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

 

  (a) either:

 

  (i) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

  (ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, or (2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) 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; and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

 

  (b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

  (c) 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 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

 

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SECTION 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

 

  (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest 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 8.3 or 8.4.

 

  (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 or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 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 Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 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 Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

 

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.16, to be inapplicable to 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 (d) 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 (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest, and (ii) the benefit of 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 the Securities of such Series;

 

  (b) the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.5; and

 

  (c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

  (d) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

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  (e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

  (f) no Default or Event of Default 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;

 

  (g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

 

  (h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

 

  (i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.4. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.16 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

  (a) With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, 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 each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

  (b) Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

  (c) No Default or Event of Default 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;

 

  (d) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

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  (e) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.5. Repayment to Company.

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

 

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

 

  (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

  (b) to comply with Article V;

 

  (c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

 

  (d) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

 

  (e) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

 

  (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

 

  (g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.3. Limitations.

 

Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

 

  (a) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

  (b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

 

  (c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

 

  (d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

  (e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

  (f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

 

  (g) make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13, or 9.3 (this sentence); or

 

  (h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security.

 

SECTION 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

 

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.7. Trustee Protected.

 

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 7.1) 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 shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

SECTION 10.2. Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

 

if to the Company:

 

SB Financial Group, Inc.

401 Clinton Street,

Defiance, Ohio 43512

Attention: ______________________

Telephone: (419) ________________

 

if to the Trustee:

 

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Attention:_____________________

Telephone: ( )___________________

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to such Securityholder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it. If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

SECTION 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

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SECTION 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

  (b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

 

  (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

  (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

  (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

  (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 10.7. Legal Holidays.

 

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 10.8. No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

SECTION 10.9. Counterparts.

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

  

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SECTION 10.10. Governing Laws.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

SECTION 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 10.12. Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

SECTION 10.13. Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 11.1. Applicability of Article.

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

 

SECTION 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities, (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption), and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

 

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SECTION 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

 

ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 12.1. Agreement of Subordination.

 

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XII; and each person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

 

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

 

No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

 

SECTION 12.2. Payments to Holders.

 

No payment shall be made with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities to be called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, if:

 

  (a) a default in the payment of principal, premium, interest, rent or other obligations due on any Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing (or, in the case of Senior Indebtedness for which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness), unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or

 

  (b) a default, other than a payment default, on a Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of the default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from a Representative or the Company.

 

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If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause (ii) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes of this Section unless and until (A) at least 365 days shall have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice, and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.

 

The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Securities upon the earlier of:

 

  (1) the date upon which the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or

 

  (2) in the case of a default referred to in clause (ii) above, 179 days pass after notice is received if the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless this Article XII otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.

 

Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or payment thereof in accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article VI from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provision of this Article XII, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution or provision therefor is made to the Holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.

 

For purposes of this Article XII, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (other than leases which are not assumed by the Company or the new corporation, as the case may be) are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article V shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.2 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article V.

 

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In the event of the acceleration of the Securities because of an Event of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article III as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 12.5, until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or such acceleration is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness of the acceleration at the address set forth in the notice from the Agent (or successor agent) to the Trustee as being the address to which the Trustee should send its notice pursuant to this Section 12.2, unless there are no payment obligations of the Company thereunder and all obligations thereunder to extend credit have been terminated or expired.

 

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

Nothing in this Section 12.2 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7. This Section 12.2 shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 12.5.

 

SECTION 12.3. Subrogation of Securities.

 

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XII, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the subrogation provisions of this Article XII, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

 

Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.

 

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SECTION 12.4. Authorization to Effect Subordination.

 

Each Holder of a Security by the holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on the holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee to act as the holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section 6.3 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness or their representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of the Securities.

 

SECTION 12.5. Notice to Trustee.

 

The Company shall give prompt written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any paying agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the form of an Officers’ Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee thereof; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 12.5, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date. Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Holders of monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.1, and any such payment shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 12.1 or 12.2.

 

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Representative or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such person, the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article XII, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.

 

SECTION 12.6. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness.

 

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in Section 7.11 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

 

33

 

 

SECTION 12.7. No Impairment of Subordination.

 

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

 

SECTION 12.8. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

 

If at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that the first paragraph of Section 12.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 12.9. Senior Indebtedness Entitled to Rely.

 

The holders of Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Designated Senior Indebtedness) shall have the right to rely upon this Article XII, and no amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.

 

34

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

Attest:  
     
  SB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
     
  By:                 
  Name:
  Its:



Attest:    
     
  [TRUSTEE]
     
  By:             
  Name  
  Its:  

 

 

34

 

EX-5.1 4 ea125967ex5-1_sbfinancial.htm OPINION OF PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP

Exhibit 5.1

 

Porter Wright
Morris & Arthur LLP

41 South High Street

Suites 2800-3200

Columbus, Ohio 43215-6194

 

Direct: 614-227-2059

Fax: 614-227-2100

Toll free: 800-533-2794

 

 

 

www.porterwright.com

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Columbus

Dayton

Naples

Washington, DC

 

August 25, 2020

 

SB Financial Group, Inc.

401 Clinton Street

Defiance, Ohio 43512

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel for SB Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”): (i) shares of Common Stock of the Company, without par value (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of Preferred Stock of the Company, with par value (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”); (iv) debt securities, which may either be senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”) or subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”); and (vi) units representing any combination of the foregoing securities (“Units”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”. The Securities may be offered from time to time by the Company at indeterminate prices, as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”) and one or more supplements to the Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) for an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $30,000,000.

 

The Depositary Shares will be issued pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a financial institution to be identified therein as the depositary (each, a “Depositary”). The Company may issue receipts (“Depositary Receipts”) for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares.

 

The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a senior debt indenture, the form of which is included as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement, between the Company and a trustee to be identified therein and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), at a later date (the “Senior Debt Trustee”), as such senior debt indenture may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Senior Debt Indenture”). The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a subordinated debt indenture, the form of which is included as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement, between the Company and a trustee to be identified therein and qualified under the TIA at a later date (the “Subordinated Debt Trustee”), as such subordinated debt indenture may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Subordinated Debt Indenture” and, together with the Senior Debt Indenture, the “Indentures”).

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 2

 

The Warrants will be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (the terms and conditions of which will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement relating to an issuance of Warrants), between the Company and a financial institution to be identified therein as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), as each such warrant agreement may be supplemented from time to time (each, the “Warrant Agreement”). The Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and a unit agent to be identified therein (each, a “Unit Agent”).

 

As counsel for the Company, in rendering the opinions below, we have reviewed and relied upon the Company’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), the exhibits filed with the Registration Statement or incorporated therein by reference, and certain resolutions (“Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) taken on August 19, 2020 in connection with the Registration Statement and the registration of the Securities, and such other documents and authorities as we deem relevant for the purpose of this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on all documents examined by us, the legal competence and capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies for examination.

 

Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.With respect to an offering of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement, such Common Stock will be duly authorized, and each share of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to the sale of such Common Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Code of Regulations of the Company, as amended (the “Regulations”), and the Board Resolutions, authorizing the issuance and sale of such Common Stock; and (iv) certificates representing such Common Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or such Common Stock shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

 

2.The issuance and sale of each series of Preferred Stock covered by the Registration Statement will be duly authorized, and each share of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to the sale of such series of Preferred Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations and the Resolutions, establishing and designating such series of Preferred Shares and fixing and determining the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (iv) the Company shall have filed with the Ohio Secretary of State a certificate of amendment to the Articles duly executed on behalf of the Company with respect to such series of Preferred Stock in conformity with the Articles and such final resolutions; and (v) certificates representing such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or, if applicable, such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 3

 

3.The Depositary Shares covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the Deposit Agreement when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Depositary Shares and the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iii) the Deposit Agreement relating to such Depositary Shares shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositary; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations and the Resolutions, establishing and designating the series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares and fixing and determining the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (v) the Company shall have filed with the Ohio Secretary of State a certificate of amendment to the Articles duly executed on behalf of the Company with respect to the series of Preferred Stok underlying the Depositary Shares in conformity with the Articles and such final resolutions; (vi) certificates representing the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or, if applicable, the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery against payment of the agreed consideration therefor; and (vii) the depositary receipts evidencing Depositary Shares shall have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by the Depositary in the manner set forth in the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

 

4.Each issue of Warrants covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such issue of Warrants and the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of such Warrants shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iii) a Warrant Agreement relating to such issue of Warrants shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent named in the Warrant Agreement; (iv) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants shall have been duly established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and applicable law; (v) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Warrants; (vi) if such Warrants are exercisable for Common Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Preferred Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (viii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Depositary Shares, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 above shall have been taken; (ix) if such Warrants are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in numbered paragraph 5 or numbered paragraph 6 below, as applicable, shall have been taken; and (x) certificates representing such issue of Warrants shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued in accordance with such Warrant Agreement and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 4

 

5.Each series of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) the Senior Debt Trustee shall have been selected and qualified under the TIA and the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture) shall have been qualified under the TIA; (iii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series of Senior Debt Securities shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iv) the specific terms of a particular series of Senior Debt Securities shall have been duly established in accordance with the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture) and applicable law; (v) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the terms, issuance and sale of such series of Senior Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture); (vi) the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture) shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Senior Debt Trustee; and (vii) the Senior Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Senior Debt Trustee and issued as provided in the Senior Debt Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement, and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the Senior Debt Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor or upon conversion or exercise of any Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 5

 

6.Each series of Subordinated Debt Securities covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) the Subordinated Debt Trustee shall have been selected and qualified under the TIA and the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture) shall have been qualified under the TIA; (iii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iv) the specific terms of a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been duly established in accordance with the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture) and applicable law; (v) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the terms, issuance and sale of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture); (vi) the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture) shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Subordinated Debt Trustee; and (vii) the Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Subordinated Debt Trustee and issued as provided in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement, and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the Subordinated Debt Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor or upon conversion or exercise of any Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

7.Each issue of Units covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary pre-effective and post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such issue of Units and the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities and/or Warrants underlying such Units shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; (iii) the Unit Agreement relating to such issue of Units shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent named in the Unit Agreement; (iv) the specific terms of a particular issue of Units shall have been duly established in accordance with the Unit Agreement and applicable law; (v) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Unit Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Units; (vi) if shares of Common Stock underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vii) if shares of Preferred Stock underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (viii) if Depositary Shares underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 above shall have been taken; (ix) if Warrants underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; (x) if Debt Securities underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 5 or numbered paragraph 6 above, as applicable, shall have been taken; (xi) certificates representing the Common Shares and/or the Preferred Shares underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered or, if applicable, the Common Shares and/or the Preferred Shares underlying such Warrants shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery; (xii) certificates representing the Depositary Shares underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered; (xiii) certificates representing the Warrants underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued; (xiv) the Senior Debt Securities and/or the Subordinated Debt Securities underlying such Units shall have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Senior Debt Trustee or the Subordinated Debt Trustee, as appropriate; and (xv) the Units shall have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered by the Unit Agent in the manner set forth in the Unit Agreement against payment of the agreed consideration therefor and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 6

 

The opinions in numbered paragraphs 3 through 7 above are qualified to the extent that the enforcement of the Depositary Shares and related Deposit Agreement, the Debt Securities, the Senior Debt Indenture, the Subordinated Debt Indenture, the Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement and the Units and the related Unit Agreement may be limited: (i) by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding preferential transferees); (ii) by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (iii) under certain circumstances under law or court decisions in respect of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) in respect of any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy.

 

We express no opinion (i) as to the effectiveness (a) of any waiver (whether or not stated as such) contained in the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture), the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture), the Debt Securities or otherwise, or any consent thereunder relating to, any unknown future rights or the rights of any party thereto existing, or duties owing to it, as a matter of law; (b) of any waiver (whether or not stated as such) contained in the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture), the Senior Debt Securities, the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture) or the Subordinated Debt Securities of rights of any party, or duties owing to it, that is broadly or vaguely stated or does not describe the right or duty purportedly waived with reasonable specificity; (c) of any provisions of the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture), the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture), the Warrant Agreement or the Unit Agreement that may be construed as penalties or forfeitures; or (d) of any covenants (other than covenants relating to the payment of principal, interest, premium, indemnities and expenses) in the Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture), the Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture), the Warrant Agreement or the Unit Agreement to the extent they are construed to be independent requirements as distinguished from conditions to the declaration or occurrence of a default or any event of default; or (ii) with respect to whether acceleration of the Debt Securities may affect the collectability of any portion of the stated principal thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 7

 

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of each share of Common Stock, each share of Preferred Stock, each issue of Depositary Shares, each Warrant, each Unit, and each series of Debt Securities, as the case may be: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective and such effectiveness will not have been terminated or rescinded; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement describing the Securities, to the extent required by the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, will have been timely filed with the SEC; (iii) any Securities being offered will be issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and as contemplated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus Supplement(s) relating thereto; (iv) the terms of any Security will not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and will comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) the authorization thereof by the Company will not have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof; (vi) in the case of the issue of Depositary Shares, the terms and conditions of the Depositary Shares and the underlying Preferred Shares and the related Deposit Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (vii) in the case of the issue of Warrants, the terms and conditions of the Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (viii) in the case of the issue of the Debt Securities, the form of Senior Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Senior Debt Indenture), or the form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Subordinated Debt Indenture), as appropriate, will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (ix) in the case of the issue of Units, the terms and conditions of the Units, the underlying Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants and/or Debt Securities, and the related Unit Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (x) the Articles, as currently in effect, will not have been modified or amended except as contemplated in numbered paragraph 2 or numbered paragraph 3 above, and will be in full force and effect; (xi) with respect to Common Stock, there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock authorized under the Articles, as in effect at the relevant time, and not otherwise reserved for issuance; and (xii) with respect to Preferred Stock, there will be sufficient shares of Preferred Stock authorized under the Articles, as in effect at the relevant time, and not otherwise reserved for issuance.

 

With respect to any instrument or agreement executed or to be executed by any party, we have assumed, to the extent relevant to the opinions set forth herein, that: (i) such party (if not a natural person) has been duly formed or organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization; (ii) such party is or will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party; (iii) such party has or will have full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party and each such instrument or agreement has been or will be duly authorized (if applicable), executed and delivered by, and is or will be a valid, binding and enforceable agreement or obligation, as the case may be, of such party and (iv) such party will be in compliance, at all applicable times and in all respects material to each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party, with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

The opinions expressed herein are limited solely to: (i) the federal laws of the United States of America; and (ii) the laws of the State of Ohio, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction on the opinions expressed herein. Our opinions are limited to those expressly set forth herein, and we express no opinions by implication.

 

This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in law that occur that could affect the opinions contained herein.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Page 8

 

This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K. We hereby consent to your filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus comprising a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the General Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,  
   
/s/ Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP  
   
PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP  

 

 

 

 

EX-23.2 5 ea125967ex23-2_sbfinancial.htm CONSENT OF BKD, LLP.

Exhibit 23.2 

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of SB Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) of our report dated March 6, 2020 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years then ended. We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 6, 2020 on our audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. We also consent to the references to our firm under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ BKD, LLP

BKD, LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 25, 2020

 

EX-24.1 6 ea125967ex24-1_sbfinancial.htm POWER OF ATTORNEY

Exhibit 24.1

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned officers and/or directors of SB Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), hereby appoints as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, Mark A. Klein and Anthony V. Cosentino, or either of them individually, in his or her name and on his or her behalf, and in any and all capacities stated below, to sign and to cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement, and any and all registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with or related to any offering contemplated by the Registration Statement and its amendments, if any, hereby granting unto such attorney-in-fact, full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all such capacities, every act and thing whatsoever necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully as the undersigned could or might do in person, hereby granting to such attorney-in-fact full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all that any such attorney-in-fact or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

 

This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original with respect to the person executing it.

 

Executed as of this 19th day of August, 2020.

 

/s/ Mark A.Klein   /s/ Anthony V. Cosentino
Mark A. Klein   Anthony V. Cosentino
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     
/s/ George W. Carter   /s/ Robert A. Fawcett, Jr.
George W. Carter   Robert A. Fawcett, Jr.
Director   Director
     
/s/ Gaylyn J. Finn   /s/ Richard L. Hardgrove
Gaylyn J. Finn   Richard L. Hardgrove
Director   Director
     
/s/ Tom R. Helberg   /s/ Rita A.Kissner
Tom R. Helberg   Rita A. Kissner
Director   Director
     
/s/ William G. Martin   /s/ Timothy J. Stolly
William G. Martin   Timothy J. Stolly
Director   Director

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