-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, G+G8Mx35tc/7yR5Ze2OhsJpalbQJ3rNqJ6sFYN0gw96WnQDHkXXdp/JgaaaBLJTF X3/cDmG0k3mO2o2ER1ds3Q== 0000950123-97-004871.txt : 19970610 0000950123-97-004871.hdr.sgml : 19970610 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-97-004871 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-4 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 19 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970606 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRENWICK GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000787952 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 061152790 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-28707 FILM NUMBER: 97620472 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE STATION PL STREET 2: METRO CENTER CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 BUSINESS PHONE: 2033535500 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001040591 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 066442139 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-28707-01 FILM NUMBER: 97620473 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE STATION PL STREET 2: METRO CENTER CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 BUSINESS PHONE: 2033535500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: TRENWICK STREET 2: METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 S-4 1 FORM S-4 1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 6, 1997 REGISTRATION NO.333- ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ TRENWICK GROUP INC. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS TRUST AGREEMENT) DELAWARE DELAWARE (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) 6719 6719 (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) 06-1152790 06-6442139 (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
------------------------ METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902 (203) 353-5500 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANTS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) JANE T. WIZNITZER VICE PRESIDENT-LEGAL AFFAIRS AND SECRETARY TRENWICK GROUP INC. METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902 (203) 353-5510 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ COPIES TO: JAMES R. CAMERON, ESQ. MICHAEL B. TUMAS, ESQ. JONATHAN L. FREEDMAN, ESQ. BAKER & MCKENZIE POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON DEWEY BALLANTINE 805 THIRD AVENUE 902 MARKET STREET 1301 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022 350 DELAWARE TRUST BUILDING NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6092 WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801
------------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ] ------------------------ CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
======================================================================================================================== PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE PER OFFERING REGISTRATION TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED UNIT(1)(2)(3) PRICE(1) FEE(2)(3) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I, Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security(4).................................... $110,000,000 100% $110,000,000 $33,334 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of Trenwick Group Inc. (2)........................................... (2) (2) (2) (2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exchange Guarantee by Trenwick Group Inc. with respect to the 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities(3)(4)............... (3) (3) (3) (3) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total........................................... $110,000,000(4) 100% $110,000,000(5) $33,334 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Estimated for the sole purpose of computing the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate fee is payable with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee of Trenwick Group, Inc. (the "Exchange Guarantee"). (2) No separate consideration will be received for the Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of Trenwick Group Inc. (the "Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures") distributed upon any liquidation of Trenwick Capital Trust I. (3) No separate consideration will be received for the Exchange Guarantee. See Note (1). (4) This Registration Statement (as the same may be amended from time to time, (the "Registration Statement")) is deemed to cover rights of holders of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture, the rights of holders of Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, the rights of holders of such Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities under the Trenwick Group Inc. Exchange Guarantee and certain backup undertakings as described herein. (5) Such amount represents the liquidation amount of the Trenwick Capital Trust I Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities to be exchanged hereunder and the principal amount of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed to holders of such Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities upon any liquidation of Trenwick Capital Trust I. ------------------------ THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. ================================================================================ 2 INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 6, 1997 TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 8.82% EXCHANGE SUBORDINATED CAPITAL INCOME SECURITIES (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITY) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 8.82% SUBORDINATED CAPITAL INCOME SECURITIES (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY) UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, TO THE EXTENT DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY TRENWICK GROUP INC. THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED. ------------------------ Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus") and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange up to $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount, determined on the basis of $1,000 per Subordinated Capital Income Security ("Liquidation Amount") of its 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part, for a like Liquidation Amount of its outstanding 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Old Capital Securities"), of which $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount is outstanding. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is also offering to exchange (i) its guarantee of payments of cash distributions and payments on liquidation of the Trust or redemption of the Old Capital Securities, to the extent the Trust has funds legally available therefor (the "Old Guarantee"), for a like guarantee in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities (the "Exchange Guarantee") and (ii) all of its 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 (the "Old Junior Subordinated Debentures") for a like aggregate principal amount of its 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 (the "Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures"), corresponding to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities which Exchange Guarantee and Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures also have been registered under the Securities Act. The Old Capital Securities, the Old Guarantee and the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures collectively, are referred to herein as the "Old Securities" and the Exchange Capital Securities, the Exchange Guarantee and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures collectively, are referred to herein as the "Exchange Securities." (Continued on the following page) SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 10 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ------------------------ The date of this Prospectus is , 1997. 3 (Continued from the previous page) The terms of the Exchange Securities are identical in all material respects to the respective terms of the Old Securities, except that (i) the Exchange Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Securities, (ii) the Exchange Securities will not contain the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction, (iii) the Exchange Capital Securities will not provide for any increase in the Distribution rate thereon which is payable on the Old Capital Securities if the Company and the Trust do not or cannot fulfill certain obligations (which obligations will be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer) under a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 31, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among the Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser (as defined in "Prospectus Summary -- The Exchange Securities -- Absence of Market for the Exchange Capital Securities", (iv) the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued in denominations of $1,000 but will not contain the $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer restriction and (v) the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon which is payable on the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures if the Company and the Trust do not or cannot fulfill certain obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (which obligations will be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer). See "Description of Exchange Securities" and "Description of Old Securities." The Exchange Capital Securities are being offered for exchange to satisfy certain obligations of the Company and the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement. In the event that the Exchange Offer is consummated, any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer and the corresponding Exchange Securities issued in the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Trust Agreement. This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all holders of Old Capital Securities on or about , 1997. The Exchange Capital Securities and the Old Capital Securities (collectively, the "Capital Securities") will represent beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The Company is the owner of all of the beneficial interests represented by common securities of the Trust (the "Common Securities," and together with the Capital Securities, the "Trust Securities"). The Chase Manhattan Bank is the Property Trustee of the Trust. The Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Trust Securities, investing the proceeds thereof in the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures for which they may be exchanged (together, the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") and making Distributions. The Junior Subordinated Debentures are scheduled to mature on February 1, 2037 (the "Stated Maturity Date"). The Capital Securities may be redeemed, at the option of the Trust, at any time after February 1, 2007, and the Stated Maturity may under certain circumstances be shortened in the event of a Tax Event or Investment Company Event. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Redemption." The Capital Securities will have a preference over the Common Securities (as defined herein) under certain circumstances with respect to cash distributions and amounts payable on liquidation, redemption or otherwise. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities." As more fully described below, the Company, in addition to agreeing to pay all fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than the Trust Securities) related to the Trust has entered into several contractual undertakings which, the Company believes, taken together, guarantee to the holders of the Capital Securities a full and unconditional right to enforce the payment of distributions, the payment of the redemption price upon redemption of the Capital Securities and the payment of the Liquidation Amount with respect to the Capital Securities upon liquidation of the Trust. (See "Risk Factors -- Rights Under the Guarantee.") Those contractual arrangements include the Company's obligations under (i) the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities, (ii) the Trust Agreement, (iii) the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iv) the Indenture. As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Debenture (ii) 4 (Continued from the previous page) Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee") relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) the "Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust relating to the Trust, dated as of January 31, 1997, among the Company as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank as Property Trustee (the "Property Trustee"), Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware as Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), and the Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively, with the Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees"). In addition, as the context may require, unless otherwise expressly stated, (i) "Capital Securities" and "Trust Securities" include the Old Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities, (ii) "Trust Securities" includes the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, (iii) "Junior Subordinated Debentures" includes the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iv) "Guarantee" includes the Old Guarantee and the Exchange Guarantee. Except as provided below, the Capital Securities will be represented by global Capital Securities in fully registered form, deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in such Capital Securities will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds. Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will be entitled to receive preferential cumulative cash distributions arising from the payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, accruing from January 31, 1997, and payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 1997, at the annual rate of 8.82% of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Trust Security ("Distributions"). So long as no Debenture Event of Default (as defined in "Description of the Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default") has occurred and is continuing, the Company will have the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each deferral period (each, an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the requirements set forth in the Indenture. If and for so long as interest payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on the Trust Securities will also be deferred and the Company will not be permitted, subject to certain exceptions described herein, to declare or pay any cash distributions with respect to the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock) or to make any payment with respect to debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. None of the Company's subsidiaries will be prohibited from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or from making payments with respect to its debt securities. During an Extension Period, interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will continue to accrue (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the Trust Securities are entitled will accumulate) at the rate of 8.82% per annum, compounded semi-annually, and holders of Trust Securities will be required to accrue such deferred interest income for United States federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of cash payments attributable to such interest income. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount." Through the Guarantee, the guarantee agreement of the Company relating to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee"), the Trust Agreement, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, the Company has guaranteed or will guarantee, as the case may be, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally, all of the Trust's obligations under the Trust Securities. See "Relationship Among the Exchange Capital Securities, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee." The Old Guarantee and the Common Guarantee guarantee, and the Exchange Guarantee will guarantee, payments of Distributions and payments on liquidation or redemption of the Trust Securities, but in each case only to the extent that the Trust holds funds on hand legally available therefor and has failed to make such payments, as described herein. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee." If the Company fails to make a required payment on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will (iii) 5 (Continued from the previous page) not have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions, on the Trust Securities. The Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will not cover any such payment when the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally available therefor. In such event, a holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights in respect of such payment. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Enforcement of Certain Rights By Holders of Exchange Capital Securities." The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee, the Common Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination"). The Trust Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption in a Like Amount (as defined herein), (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated Maturity Date upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Maturity Redemption Price"), (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time prior to February 1, 2007, contemporaneously with the optional prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined herein) at a redemption price equal to the Special Event Prepayment Price (as defined below) (the "Special Event Redemption Price"), and (iii) in whole or in part, on or after February 1, 2007, contemporaneously with the optional prepayment by the Company of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, at a redemption price equal to the Optional Prepayment Price (as defined below) (the "Optional Redemption Price"). Any of the Maturity Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption Price may be referred to herein as the "Redemption Price." See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Redemption." The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be prepayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date at the option of the Company (i) on or after February 1, 2007, in whole or in part, at a prepayment price (the "Optional Prepayment Price") equal to the principal amount thereof outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment, or (ii) at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, at a prepayment price (the "Special Event Prepayment Price") equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount thereof or (b) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent (as defined herein), of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and the interest thereon discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined herein) plus, in either case, accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment. Either of the Optional Prepayment Price or the Special Event Prepayment Price may be referred to herein as the "Prepayment Price." See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Prepayment" and "-- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment." The Company as the holder of all of the Common Securities, will have the right at any time to terminate the Trust and cause a Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to the Company having received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such distribution will not be a taxable event to holders of Capital Securities. Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities, in the event of a liquidation of the Trust as described herein, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities generally will be entitled to receive a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security plus accumulated Distributions thereon to the date of payment. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." ------------------------ The Trust is making the Exchange Offer of the Exchange Capital Securities in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporate Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other transactions. However, (iv) 6 (Continued from the previous page) neither the Company nor the Trust has sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporate Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporate Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two immediately following sentences, the Company and the Trust believe that Exchange Capital Securities issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. Any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital Securities from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, however, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such Exchange Capital Securities. Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust, (ii) any Exchange Capital Securities to be received by it are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. In addition, the Company and the Trust may require such holder, as a condition to such holder's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company and the Trust (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Old Capital Securities to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Capital Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it acquired the Exchange Capital Securities for its own account as the result of market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Company and the Trust believe that broker-dealers who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts, as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities ("Participating Broker-Dealers"), may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time (v) 7 (Continued from the previous page) to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the period referred to below in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such Exchange Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein) (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company or the Trust, or cause the Company or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust may not rely on such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of Exchange Capital Securities." Each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company or the Trust has amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company or the Trust has given notice that the sale of the Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. If the Company or the Trust gives such notice to suspend the sale of the Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable), it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital Securities by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the Exchange Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Company or the Trust has given notice that the sale of Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary market and no public market for the Old Capital Securities. The Exchange Capital Securities will be a new issue of securities for which there currently is no market. Although the Initial Purchasers have informed the Company and the Trust that they each currently intend to make a market in the Exchange Capital Securities, they are not obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the Exchange Capital Securities. The Company and the Trust currently do not intend to apply for listing of the Exchange Capital Securities on any securities exchange or for inclusion in the Nasdaq Stock Market ("NASDAQ"). (vi) 8 (Continued from the previous page) The Company and the Trust have agreed to keep the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part, effective for a period of 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law or to allow Participating BrokerDealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery requirements) after notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to holders of the Old Securities. Any Old Capital Securities not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and will be subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Trust Agreement (except for those rights in respect of the Exchange Offer). Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Capital Securities will continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon transfer thereof and neither the Company nor the Trust will have any further obligation to such holders (other than under certain limited circumstances) to provide for registration under the Securities Act of the Old Capital Securities held by them. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital Securities could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities." THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997 (such time on such date being hereinafter called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company or the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered for exchange. The Exchange Offer is, however, subject to certain events and conditions which may be waived by the Company or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in the Exchange Offer for exchange in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses of the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Fees and Expenses." Holders of the Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. Accordingly, holders of Exchange Capital Securities as of the record date for the payment of Distributions on August 1, 1997 will be entitled to receive Distributions accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. See "The Exchange Offer -- Distributions on Exchange Capital Securities." Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Capital Securities offered hereby. No dealer-manager is being used in connection with this Exchange Offer. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Plan of Distribution." NOTICE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS: NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NOR THE FACT THAT A SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED OR A PERSON IS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES A FINDING BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE THAT ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER RSA 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. NEITHER ANY SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR EXCEPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR A SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT (vii) 9 (Continued from the previous page) THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS PASSED IN ANY WAY UPON THE MERITS OR QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO, ANY PERSON, SECURITY, OR TRANSACTION. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, CUSTOMER OR CLIENT, ANY REPRESENTATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH. ------------------------ FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ONLY: THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES MADE HEREBY NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ------------------------ NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR A SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. (viii) 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- Available Information................................................................. 1 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference....................................... 1 Prospectus Summary.................................................................... 3 Risk Factors.......................................................................... 10 Use of Proceeds....................................................................... 17 Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges................................................... 17 Accounting Treatment.................................................................. 17 Capitalization........................................................................ 18 Selected Financial Data............................................................... 19 Trenwick Group Inc.................................................................... 20 Trenwick Capital Trust I.............................................................. 20 The Exchange Offer.................................................................... 21 Description of Exchange Securities.................................................... 30 Description of Exchange Capital Securities.......................................... 30 Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures.............................. 42 Description of Exchange Guarantee................................................... 50 Description of Old Securities......................................................... 52 Relationship Among the Exchange Capital Securities, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee............................................... 52 Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences............................................... 54 ERISA Considerations.................................................................. 58 Plan of Distribution.................................................................. 59 Legal Matters......................................................................... 60 Experts............................................................................... 60
(ix) 11 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. If available, such reports and other information may also be accessed through the Commission's electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system ("EDGAR") via electronic means, including the Commission's web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Company's common stock, $.10 par value per share ("Common Stock"), is listed on the NASDAQ National Market and such material also is available for inspection at the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein. The Company and the Trust do not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the Capital Securities because the Trust is a newly formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity other than holding as trust assets the Junior Subordinated Debentures, issuing the Trust Securities and engaging in incidental activities. See "Trenwick Capital Trust I" and "Description of Exchange Securities." The Trust is not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Trust will become subject to such requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although it intends to seek and expects to receive exemptions therefrom. This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company and the Trust with the Commission under the Securities Act. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to the Company, the Trust and the Exchange Securities. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference: (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 1997; and (c) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 24, 1997, January 28, 1997 and January 31, 1997. Such incorporation by reference shall not be deemed to specifically incorporate by reference the information referred to in Item 402(a)(8) of Regulation S-K. All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering of the Exchange Securities offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. 12 Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or in any Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and "herein" mean this Prospectus including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein do not purport to be complete, and where reference is made to the particular provisions of such contract or other document, such provisions are qualified in all respects by reference to all of the provisions of such contract or other document. The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the texts of such documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to: Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer, Vice President -- Legal Affairs and Secretary. Telephone requests may be directed to (203) 353-5500. 2 13 PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements included and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. TRENWICK GROUP INC. Trenwick Group Inc. is a holding company whose operating subsidiary, Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation ("Trenwick America Re"), provides treaty and facultative reinsurance to insurers of property and casualty risks in the United States. Trenwick America Re's business is primarily obtained through brokers and reinsurance intermediaries. The major portion of the reinsurance it writes is automobile liability, professional liability and general liability. Reinsurance is provided both on an excess of loss and quota share basis. In addition to underwriting reinsurance on its own account, Trenwick America Re participates in specialized segments of the reinsurance market through strategic alliances with leaders in those segments. Over the five-year period ending December 31, 1996, the combined ratio of the Company's reinsurance operations, computed on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, substantially improved from 112.3% in 1992 to 95.8% in 1996. Trenwick America Re is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct reinsurance business in every state and the District of Columbia. Trenwick America Re is rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best Company, an independent insurance industry rating organization, and its claims-paying ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. A.M. Best ratings are primarily based upon factors relevant to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) the Declaration of Trust executed by the Company as Sponsor and Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 21, 1997. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by the Issuer Trustees: the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, and the three individual Administrative Trustees who are officers of the Company. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) using the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, (iv) making Distributions to holders of the Trust Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement and (v) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenue of the Trust. All of the Common Securities are owned by the Company. THE EXCHANGE OFFER The Exchange Offer......... Up to $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of Exchange Capital Securities are being offered in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in the Exchange Offer for exchange in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. The Company and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer to satisfy their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Old Capital Securities. For a description of the procedures for tendering Old Capital Securities, see "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities." 3 14 Expiration Date............ 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997, unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company or the Trust (in which case the Expiration Date will be the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer." Conditions to the Exchange Offer...................... The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions, which may be waived by the Company and the Trust in their sole discretion. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered. See "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer." Offer...................... The Company and the Trust reserve the right in their sole and absolute discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from time to time, to (i) delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for exchange, (ii) terminate the Exchange Offer if certain specified conditions have not been satisfied, (iii) extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their tendered Old Capital Securities, or (iv) waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer." Withdrawal Rights.......... Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date by delivering a written notice of such withdrawal to the Exchange Agent in conformity with certain procedures set forth below under "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal Rights." Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities..... Tendering holders of Old Capital Securities must complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions contained therein and forward the same by mail, facsimile or hand delivery, together with any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent, either with the Old Capital Securities to be tendered or in compliance with the specified procedures for guaranteed delivery of Old Capital Securities. Certain brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees may also effect tenders by book-entry transfer. Holders of Old Capital Securities registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee are urged to contact such person promptly if they wish to tender Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities." Letters of Transmittal and certificates representing Old Capital Securities should not be sent to the Company or the Trust. Such documents should only be sent to the Exchange Agent. Resales of Exchange Capital Securities................. The Company and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other transactions. However, neither the Company nor the Trust has sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer 4 15 as it has in such interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two immediately following sentences, the Company and the Trust believe that Exchange Capital Securities issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased the Old Capital Securities from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such Exchange Capital Securities. Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust, (ii) any Exchange Capital Securities to be received by it are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Capital Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the result of market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the 5 16 Company and the Trust believe that Participating Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and to the limitations described below under "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of Exchange Capital Securities," the Company and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such Exchange Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust may not rely on such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of Exchange Capital Securities." Effect of Not Accepting the Exchange Offer............. Old Capital Securities which are not tendered in the Exchange Offer will continue to have all the rights presently accruing to them except the right to an increased Distribution rate on the Old Capital Securities in certain events if the Company and the Trust do not or cannot fulfill certain obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (which obligations will be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer). See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities." The Old Capital Securities will vote as a single class with Exchange Capital Securities. However, the Old Capital Securities will continue to be subject to restrictions on transfer and, except for limited exceptions for certain broker-dealers, will have no registration rights. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to freely sell untendered Old Capital Securities could be adversely affected. Exchange Agent............. The exchange agent with respect to the Exchange Offer is The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent"). The applicable addresses, and telephone and facsimile numbers, of the Exchange Agent are set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" and the Letter of Transmittal. 6 17 Use of Proceeds............ Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Capital Securities offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds." Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences; ERISA Considerations............. Holders of Old Capital Securities should review the information set forth under "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "ERISA Considerations" prior to tendering Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer. THE EXCHANGE SECURITIES Securities Offered......... Up to 110,000 of the Trust's Exchange Capital Securities (Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Exchange Capital Security) which have been registered under the Securities Act. The Exchange Capital Securities will be issued, and the Old Capital Securities were issued, under the Trust Agreement. The Exchange Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Trust Agreement. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement." The terms of the Exchange Capital Securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the Old Capital Securities, except that the Exchange Capital Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and will not be subject to the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities and will not provide for any increase in the Distribution rate thereon which is payable on the Old Capital Securities if the Company or the Trust do not or cannot fulfill certain obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (which obligations will be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer). See "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose of the Exchange Offer," "Description of Exchange Securities" and "Description of Old Securities." Distribution Dates......... February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 1997. Extension Periods.......... So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, distributions on the Exchange Capital Securities will be deferred for the duration of any Extension Period elected by the Company with respect to the payment of interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. No Extension Period will exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. The Company has no current intention to exercise its right to defer payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount." Ranking.................... The Exchange Capital Securities will rank pari passu, and payments thereon will be made pro rata, with the Old Capital Securities and the 7 18 Common Securities except, with respect to the Common Securities, in certain circumstances described under "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities." The Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and all other junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company (collectively, with the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, the "Other Debentures") which may be issued and sold (if at all) to other trusts established or to be established by the Company, in each case similar to the Trust (the "Other Trusts"), and will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." The Exchange Guarantee will rank pari passu with the Old Guarantee and all other guarantees issued by the Company with respect to capital securities issued or to be issued by Other Trusts (collectively, the "Other Guarantees"). The Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will be (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company; (ii) pari passu with (A) the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company, and (B) any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of any capital securities or common securities of any Other Trusts; and (iii) senior to the Company's Common Stock. None of the Indenture, the Guarantee or the Trust Agreement places any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including Senior Indebtedness, that may be incurred by the Company. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee -- Status of Exchange Guarantee." Redemption................. The Trust Securities are subject to mandatory redemption in a Like Amount, (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated Maturity upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time contemporaneously with the optional prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures by the Company upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event and (iii) in whole or in part, on or after February 1, 2007 contemporaneously with the optional prepayment by the Company of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, in each case at the applicable Redemption Price. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Redemption." Ratings.................... The Old Capital Securities are rated "BBB" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and "baa3" by Moody's Investors Service and the Exchange Capital Securities are expected to be rated similarly. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawn at any time by the assigning rating organization. Absence of Market for the Exchange Capital Securities................. The Exchange Capital Securities will be a new issue of securities for which there currently is no market. Although Lehman Brothers, the initial purchaser of the Old Capital Securities (the "Initial Purchaser"), has informed the Company and the Trust that it currently intends to make a market in the Exchange Capital Securities, the Initial Purchaser 8 19 is not obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any time by the Initial Purchaser without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the Exchange Capital Securities. The Trust and the Company do not intend to apply for listing of the Old Capital Securities or the Exchange Capital Securities on any securities exchange or for quotation through NASDAQ. See "Plan of Distribution." 9 20 RISK FACTORS Prospective investors should carefully review the information included and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement and should particularly consider the following matters. RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES The obligations of the Company under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the Capital Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution) is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, including its reinsureds, except to the extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. At March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, the Company's subsidiaries had total liabilities of $625.3 and $586.0 million, respectively. The Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will be (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company; (ii) pari passu with (A) the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company, and (B) any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of the capital securities or common securities of any Other Trusts; and (iii) senior to the Company's Common Stock. None of the Indenture, the Guarantee or the Trust Agreement places any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including Senior Indebtedness, that may be incurred by the Company. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" and "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee -- Status of Exchange Guarantee." The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures as and when required. HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE; RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS The Company is an insurance holding company whose principal asset is the capital stock of Trenwick America Re, which it owns through its wholly-owned subsidiary Trenwick America Corporation. The Company's principal source of funds, including funds available to pay interest and principal on the Junior Subordinated Debentures or make payments with respect to its capital stock, is cash dividends from Trenwick America Re. Accordingly, the Company's ability to pay interest and principal on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is dependent on the receipt of such dividends. The payment of dividends by Trenwick America Re is subject to limits imposed by the insurance laws and regulations of the State of Connecticut, its state of incorporation and domicile. Under Connecticut insurance laws and regulations, the maximum amount of shareholder dividends or other distributions that Trenwick America Re may declare or pay to the Company within any twelve month period, without the permission of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner, is limited to the greater of 10% of policyholder surplus at December 31 of the preceding year, or 100% of net income, excluding realized capital gains, for the twelve month period ending December 31 of the preceding year, both determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. For the purpose of computing the limitation, carryforward provisions apply with respect to net income realized in the two previous calendar years which has not already been paid out as dividends. The maximum amount of dividends which can be paid by Trenwick America Re in 1997 without regulatory approval is $62,901,000. OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSIDERATIONS So long as no Debenture Event of Default (as defined herein) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company will have the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods 10 21 with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity. As a consequence of any such deferral, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trust will be deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the Capital Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the rate of 8.82% per annum, compounded semi-annually, but not exceeding the interest rate then accruing on the Junior Subordinated Debentures) from the relevant payment date for such Distributions during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further extend such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or to extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Junior Subordinated Debentures (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of 8.82%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Distributions" and "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date." Should the Company exercise its right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, each holder of Trust Securities will be required to accrue income (as original issue discount ("OID")) in respect of the deferred stated interest allocable to its Trust Securities for United States federal income tax purposes, which will be allocated but not distributed to holders of Trust Securities. As a result, each such holder of Capital Securities will recognize income for United States federal income tax purposes in advance of the receipt of cash and will not receive the cash related to such income from the Trust if the holder disposes of the Capital Securities prior to the record date for the payment of Distributions thereafter. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount" and "-- Sales of Capital Securities." Should the Company elect to exercise its right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures in the future, the market price of the Capital Securities is likely to be affected. A holder that disposes of its Capital Securities during an Extension Period, therefore, might not receive the same return on its investment as a holder that continues to hold its Capital Securities. In addition, merely as a result of the existence of the Company's right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the market price of the Capital Securities may be more volatile than the market prices of other securities on which OID accrues and that are not subject to such deferrals. CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO SHORTEN MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION If a Tax Event (as defined below) occurs, then the Company will have the right, prior to the termination of the Trust, either (i) to shorten the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but not less than 20 years from the date of original issuance thereof, such that in the written opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after shortening the maturity, interest paid on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax purposes (the action referred to above being referred to herein as a "Tax Event Maturity Shortening") or (ii) to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures, as described below. Prospective investors should be aware that the Company's exercise of its right to shorten the maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are treated as equity for purposes of United States federal income taxation before the maturity is shortened. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Redemption" and "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment." If a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (as defined below) occurs, then the Company will have the right, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event or Investment Company Event, as the case may be, to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) in the manner set forth 11 22 under "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment," and therefore to cause a mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities prior to the Stated Maturity (the circumstances under which the Company has the right to so prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures in connection with a Tax Event being referred to herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event"). Each of a Conditional Tax Redemption Event or an Investment Company Event is sometimes referred to herein as a "Special Event." A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel to the Company experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or as a result of any administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of the original issuance of the Capital Securities, or as a result of a final determination, as evidenced by the execution of a Form 870 AD, arising from an audit or examination by the Internal Revenue Service, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence"). An "Investment Company Event" means that the Company shall have received an opinion of an independent counsel experienced in practice under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in Investment Company Act Law"), there is more than insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in Investment Company Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of the original issuance of the Capital Securities. EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES The Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, will have the right at any time to terminate the Trust and cause a Like Amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to the Company's having received an opinion by independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the holders will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and such distribution to holders of Capital Securities. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." POSSIBLE TAX LAWS AFFECTING THE CAPITAL SECURITIES On February 6, 1997, as part of the Clinton Administration's Fiscal 1998 Budget Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the "Proposed Legislation") which would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of debt obligations, such as the Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after the date "of first committee action," if such debt obligations have a maximum term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Proposed Legislation would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt obligations, such as the Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued after the date "of first committee action," if such debt obligations have a weighted average maturity of more than 40 years. The Proposed Legislation has not yet been introduced by any member of the 105th Congress. If Congress were to enact any other proposed legislation, and if such enactment gave rise to a Tax Event, the Company would be 12 23 permitted to cause a redemption of the Trust Securities at the Special Event Prepayment Price by electing to prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures at the Special Event Prepayment Price. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Proposed Tax Legislation." POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICES There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Exchange Capital Securities or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures distributed to the holders of Old Securities if a termination of the Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Exchange Capital Securities or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures may trade at a discount from the price that the investor paid to purchase the Exchange Capital Securities offered hereby. Because holders of Exchange Capital Securities may receive Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures in liquidation of the Trust and because Distributions are otherwise limited to payments on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, prospective investors of Exchange Capital Securities are also making an investment decision with regard to the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all the information regarding the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures contained herein. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." RIGHTS UNDER THE GUARANTEE The Chase Manhattan Bank will act as Guarantee Trustee and will hold the Exchange Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities. The Chase Manhattan Bank will also act as Property Trustee and as Debenture Trustee under the Indenture. Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware will act as Delaware Trustee under the Trust Agreement. The Old Guarantee guarantees, and the Exchange Guarantee will guarantee, as the case may be, to the holders of the Capital Securities the following payments, to the extent not paid by the Trust: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital Securities, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, (ii) the applicable Redemption Price with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of the Trust (unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the Capital Securities upon a termination and liquidation of the Trust. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Exchange Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee. Any holder of the Exchange Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Exchange Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. If the Company defaults on its obligation to pay amounts payable under the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient funds for the payment of Distributions or amounts payable on liquidation of the Trust or redemption of the Exchange Capital Securities or otherwise, and, in such event, holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will not be able to rely upon the Exchange Guarantee for payment of such amounts. Instead, in the event a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which such payment is due and payable, then a holder of Exchange Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action"). Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Exchange Capital Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct Action, the Company shall remain obligated to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Exchange Capital Securities with respect to payments on the Exchange 13 24 Capital Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action. Except as described herein, holders of Exchange Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or to assert directly any other rights in respect of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Exchange Capital Securities," "-- Debenture Events of Default" and "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee." The Trust Agreement provides that each holder of Exchange Capital Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the Indenture. LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS Holders of Exchange Capital Securities will generally have limited voting rights relating only to the modification of the Exchange Capital Securities, the termination or liquidation of the Trust, and the exercise of the Trust's rights as holder of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. Holders of Exchange Capital Securities will not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, and such voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities except upon the occurrence of certain events described herein. The Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Company may amend the Trust Agreement without the consent of holders of Exchange Capital Securities to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust even if such action adversely affects the interests of such holders. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement" and "-- Removal of Issuer Trustees." CONSEQUENCES OF A FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and in each case in compliance with certain other conditions and restrictions. Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will continue to bear a legend reflecting such restrictions on transfer. In addition, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have such Old Capital Securities registered under the Securities Act or to any similar rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain limited exceptions). The Company and the Trust do not intend to register under the Securities Act any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such limited exceptions, if applicable). To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital Securities could be adversely affected. The Exchange Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Trust Agreement. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement." The Registration Rights Agreement provides, among other things, that, if an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (if required to be filed) is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to July 25, 1997, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and Additional Distributions will accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities affected thereby, commencing July 28, 1997, at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of such Old Capital Securities for the period from the occurrence of such event until such time as the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any required Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective. In addition, if the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and 14 25 Additional Distributions will accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities affected thereby until the Exchange Offer is consummated. Upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Trust and the Company will have satisfied their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and holders of Old Capital Securities will not be entitled to any such additional Distributions thereon or any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances with respect to certain broker-dealers. See "Description of Old Securities." ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Company believes the Old Capital Securities are currently owned by, a relatively small number of beneficial owners. The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and will be subject to restrictions on transferability if they are not exchanged for the Exchange Capital Securities. Although the Exchange Capital Securities generally may be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders (who are not affiliates of the Company or the Trust) without compliance with the registration requirements under the Securities Act, they will constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Old Capital Securities may be transferred by the holders thereof only in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital Securities). Exchange Capital Securities may be transferred by the holders thereof in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 (one Exchange Capital Security) or integral multiples thereof. The Company and the Trust have been advised by the Initial Purchaser that the Initial Purchaser presently intends to make a market in the Exchange Capital Securities. However, the Initial Purchaser is not obligated to do so and any market-making activity with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities may be discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and may be limited during the Exchange Offer. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an active public or other market will develop for the Exchange Capital Securities or the Old Capital Securities or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the Exchange Capital Securities or the Old Capital Securities. If an active public market does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the Exchange Capital Securities may be adversely affected. If a public trading market develops for the Exchange Capital Securities, future trading prices will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's results and the market for similar securities. Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors, including the financial condition of the Company, the Exchange Capital Securities may trade at a discount. Notwithstanding the registration of the Exchange Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, holders who are affiliates of the Company or the Trust may publicly offer for sale or resell the Exchange Capital Securities only in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to another effective registration statement. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Capital Securities for its own account in exchange for Old Capital Securities, where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. See "Plan of Distribution." FLUCTUATION AND UNCERTAINTY OF PROPERTY AND CASUALTY REINSURANCE INDUSTRY RESULTS The results of companies in the property and casualty reinsurance industry historically have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. The industry's profitability can be affected significantly by volatile and unpredictable developments (including catastrophes); changes in reserves resulting from the general claims and legal environments as different types of claims arise and judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers' and reinsurers' liability develop; fluctuations in interest rates and other changes in the investment environment which affect returns on invested capital; and inflationary pressures that affect the size of losses. The demand for property and casualty reinsurance can also vary significantly, generally rising as the overall level of economic activity increases and falling as such activity decreases. The property and casualty 15 26 reinsurance industry historically has been cyclical, and the industry as a whole has been in a softening market since the late 1980s primarily due to premium rate competition, which has resulted in lower underwriting profitability. The Company's results of operations may be adversely affected by these fluctuations and uncertainties. UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF LOSS RESERVES The Company maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time, of what the Company expects the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost based on its assessment of facts and circumstances then known, estimates of future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. These variables are affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in ceding companies' claims handling procedures, economic inflation, judicial trends and legislative changes. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. Additionally, there may be significant reporting lags between the occurrence of the reinsured event and the time it is actually reported to the reinsurer. Reserve estimates are continually refined in a regular ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the results of the periods in which such estimates are changed. Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that currently established reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent actual experience. The inherent uncertainties of estimating loss reserves are generally greater for casualty coverages than for property coverages, due primarily to the longer period of time that typically elapses before a definitive determination of ultimate loss can be made, changing theories of legal liability involving certain types of claims and changing political climates. 16 27 USE OF PROCEEDS Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Capital Securities offered hereby. In consideration for issuing the Exchange Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities as described in this Prospectus, the Trust will receive Old Capital Securities in like Liquidation Amount. The Old Capital Securities surrendered in exchange for the Exchange Capital Securities will be retired and cancelled. The proceeds to the Trust (without giving effect to expenses of the offering payable by the Company) from the offering of the Old Capital Securities were $110,000,000. All of the proceeds from the sale of Old Capital Securities were invested by the Trust in the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company used approximately $46,997,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures to redeem its 6% Convertible Debentures due December 15, 1999 (the "Convertible Debentures") at a redemption price equal to 102.57% of the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Debentures so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. Of the $103,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Debentures which were outstanding on January 31, 1997, $45,819,000 principal amount were redeemed and $57,681,000 principal amount were converted into an aggregate of 1,783,926 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 share.* The amount of any remaining net proceeds are to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include investments in and advances to subsidiaries, the financing of growth and expansion, the financing of possible future acquisitions, stock repurchases and other corporate purposes. CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and for the five years ended December 31, 1996:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, - ------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 - ------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 6.0 7.4 6.6 4.4 5.2 11.2
The consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges represent the number of times fixed charges (interest expense and one-third of all rent expense, considered to represent an appropriate interest factor, charged to income) are covered by income before income taxes, extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting change and fixed charges. ACCOUNTING TREATMENT The financial statements of the Trust (the sole assets of which are the 8.82% Junior Subordinated Debentures due February 1, 2037 of Trenwick Group Inc.) are reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements with the Capital Securities shown as "Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred capital securities of subsidiary trust holding solely Junior Subordinated Debentures of Trenwick." Disclosures about the Capital Securities, the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Company will record Distributions payable on the Capital Securities as an expense in its consolidated statement of earnings. - --------------- *All share and per share information reflects a 3 for 2 stock split, paid on April 15, 1997. 17 28 CAPITALIZATION The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the Company as of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996.
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 1997 1996 -------- ------------ (IN THOUSANDS) Convertible debentures............................... $ -- $ 103,500 -------- -------- Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred capital securities of subsidiary trust holding solely Junior Subordinated Debentures of Trenwick*.......................................... 110,000 -- -------- -------- Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding....................... -- -- -------- -------- Common stockholders' equity:** Common stock, $.10 par value, 22,500,000 shares authorized; 11,936,442 and 10,087,826 shares outstanding..................................... 1,194 1,009 Additional paid-in capital......................... 153,406 94,423 Retained earnings.................................. 165,411 159,512 Net unrealized appreciation of securities available for sale, net of income taxes................... 3,635 11,789 Deferred compensation under stock award plan....... (1,172) (980) -------- -------- Total common stockholders' equity.................. $322,474 $ 265,753 -------- -------- Total capitalization............................ $432,474 $ 369,253 ======== ========
- --------------- *As described herein, the proceeds from the sale of the Old Capital Securities were used to purchase $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.82% Junior Subordinated Debentures due February 1, 2037. **All share and per share information reflects a 3 for 2 stock split, paid on April 15, 1997. 18 29 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The data below should be read in connection with the financial information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Results for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ 1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) INCOME STATEMENT DATA Net premiums written.............. $ 59,558 $ 58,883 $226,364 $197,162 $139,635 $101,392 $ 81,883 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Net premiums earned............... $ 53,914 $ 47,691 $211,069 $177,394 $132,683 $ 93,180 $ 81,831 Net investment income............. 11,729 9,869 41,226 36,828 33,932 34,954 30,859 Net realized investment gains (losses)........................ 1,915 50 299 368 (196) 1,842 181 Service fees...................... -- -- -- -- -- -- 206 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total revenues.................... $ 67,558 $ 57,610 $252,594 $214,590 $166,419 $129,976 $113,077 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Income before extraordinary item............................ $ 9,801 $ 8,182 $ 33,848 $ 29,841 $ 20,282 $ 23,739 $ 18,539 Extraordinary loss on debt redemption net of income tax.... 1,037 -- -- -- -- -- -- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income........................ $ 8,764 $ 8,182 $ 33,848 $ 29,841 $ 20,282 $ 23,739 $ 18,539 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== PER SHARE DATA Primary earnings: Income before extraordinary item.............................. $ 0.89 $ 0.80 $ 3.30 $ 2.96 $ 2.03 $ 2.32 $ 1.84 Extraordinary loss................ (0.10) -- -- -- -- -- -- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income........................ $ 0.79 $ 0.80 $ 3.30 $ 2.96 $ 2.03 $ 2.32 $ 1.84 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fully diluted earnings (assuming conversion of dilutive convertible securities): Income before extraordinary item............................ $ 0.81 $ 0.69 $ 2.83 $ 2.53 $ 1.85 $ 2.08 $ 1.84 Extraordinary loss................ (0.06) -- -- -- -- -- -- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income........................ $ 0.75 $ 0.69 $ 2.83 $ 2.53 $ 1.85 $ 2.08 $ 1.84 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Dividends per common share........ $ .24 $ .21 $ .83 $ .75 $ .67 $ .5 $ .51 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== BALANCE SHEET DATA Investments and cash.............. $ 825,487 $675,874 $754,210 $653,704 $551,784 $546,303 $500,359 Total assets...................... 1,021,062 850,323 920,804 820,930 727,245 700,407 652,473 Unpaid claims and claims expenses........................ 481,974 427,158 467,177 411,874 389,298 354,582 351,897 Convertible debentures............ -- 103,500 103,500 103,500 103,500 103,500 103,500 Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred capital securities of subsidiary trust holding solely Junior Subordinated Debentures of Trenwick........................ 110,000 -- -- -- -- -- -- Total common stockholders' equity.......................... 322,474 239,338 265,753 240,776 188,213 206,763 169,373 Shares of common stock outstanding..................... 11,936 9,902 10,088 9,886 9,660 9,874 9,765 Book value per common share....... $ 27.02 $ 24.17 $ 26.34 $ 24.36 $ 19.48 $ 20.94 $ 17.35 CERTAIN GAAP FINANCIAL RATIOS Combined ratio.................... 96.7% 95.3% 95.8% 95.6% 103.2% 102.5% 112.3% Net premiums written to surplus ratio........................... N/A N/A 0.85:1 0.82:1 0.74:1 0.49:1 0.48:1 Unpaid claims and claims expenses to surplus ratio................ 1.49:1 1.78:1 1.76:1 1.71:1 2.07:1 1.71:1 2.08:1
- --------------- All share and per share information reflects a 3 for 2 stock split, paid on April 15, 1997. 19 30 TRENWICK GROUP INC. Trenwick Group Inc. is a holding company whose operating subsidiary, Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation ("Trenwick America Re"), provides treaty and facultative reinsurance to insurers of property and casualty risks in the United States. Trenwick America Re's business is primarily obtained through brokers and reinsurance intermediaries. The major portion of the reinsurance it writes is automobile liability, professional liability and general liability. Reinsurance is provided both on an excess of loss and quota share basis. In addition to underwriting reinsurance on its own account, Trenwick America Re participates in specialized segments of the reinsurance market through strategic alliances with leaders in those segments. Over the five-year period ending December 31, 1996, the combined ratio of the Company's reinsurance operations, computed on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, substantially improved from 112.3% in 1992 to 95.8% in 1996. Trenwick America Re is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct reinsurance business in every state and the District of Columbia. Trenwick America Re is rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best Company, an independent insurance industry rating organization, and its claims-paying ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. A.M. Best ratings are primarily based upon factors relevant to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) the Declaration of Trust dated as of January 21, 1997 executed by the Company as Sponsor and Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware as Delaware Trustee, and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 21, 1997. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) using the proceeds from the sale of Trust Securities to acquire Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iv) making Distributions to holders of the Trust Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement and (v) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenues of the Trust. All of the Common Securities are owned by the Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Exchange Capital Securities, except that upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Trust Agreement resulting from a Debenture Event of Default, the rights of the Company as holder of the Common Securities to payments in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Capital Securities. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities." The Company has acquired Common Securities in a Liquidation Amount equal to 3% of the total capital of the Trust. The Trust has a term of 45 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in the Trust Agreement. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the Company as holder of the Common Securities. The trustees for the Trust are The Chase Manhattan Bank as the Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware as the Delaware Trustee, and three individual trustees as the Administrative Trustees who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company (collectively, the "Issuer Trustees"). The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, acts as sole indenture trustee under the Trust Agreement. The Chase Manhattan Bank also acts as indenture trustee under the Guarantee and the Indenture. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee" and "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." The holder of the Common Securities of the Trust or, if an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement has occurred and is continuing, the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee and/or the Delaware Trustee. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees; such voting rights will be vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities. The duties and obligations of each Issuer Trustee are governed by the Trust Agreement. The Company will pay all fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than the Trust Securities) related to the Trust and the offering of the Capital Securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all 20 31 ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust. The principal executive office of the Trust is Trenwick Capital Trust I, c/o Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, CT 06902. THE EXCHANGE OFFER PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER In connection with the sale of the Old Capital Securities, the Company and the Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial Purchaser, pursuant to which the Company and the Trust agreed to file and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective with the Commission a registration statement with respect to the exchange of the Old Capital Securities for other capital securities with terms identical in all material respects to the terms of the Old Capital Securities. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual obligations of the Company and the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement. The form and terms of the Exchange Capital Securities are the same as the form and terms of the Old Capital Securities except that the Exchange Capital Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and will not be subject to the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities. The Exchange Capital Securities will not provide, as do the Old Capital Securities, for the accrual of Additional Interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, or for the accumulation of Additional Distributions on the Trust Securities affected thereby, if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective or the Exchange Offer is not consummated, or any required Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective. Upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will have satisfied their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and holders of Old Capital Securities will not be entitled to any such additional Distributions thereon or any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances with respect to certain broker-dealers. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Old Securities." The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Trust accept tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital Securities are registered on the books of the Trust or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from such holder, or any person whose Old Capital Securities are held of record by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") who desires to deliver such Old Capital Securities by book-entry transfer at DTC. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange as soon as practicable after the date hereof the Old Guarantee for the Exchange Guarantee and the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to the Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Exchange Guarantee and Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures have been registered under the Securities Act. TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER The Trust hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to exchange up to $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of 21 32 Exchange Capital Securities for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described below. The Trust will issue, promptly after the Expiration Date, an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to $110,000,000 of Exchange Capital Securities in exchange for a like principal amount of outstanding Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in the Exchange Offer for exchange in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Old Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this Prospectus, $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities is outstanding. Holders of Old Capital Securities do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities which are not tendered for or are tendered but not accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement, but will not be entitled to any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances with respect to certain broker-dealers. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Old Securities." If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder thereof promptly after the Expiration Date. Holders who tender Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "-- Fees and Expenses." NEITHER THE COMPANY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY NOR ANY ISSUER TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TO TENDER BASED ON SUCH HOLDERS OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS. The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company or the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). The Company and the Trust have no present expectation that the Expiration Date will be extended. The Company and the Trust expressly reserve the right in their sole and absolute discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from time to time, to (i) delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for exchange, (ii) terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange) if the Trust determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that any of the events or conditions referred to under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have occurred or exist or have not been satisfied, (iii) extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their tendered Old Capital Securities as described under "-- Withdrawal Rights," and (iv) waive any 22 33 condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the Company and the Trust to constitute a material change, or if the Company and the Trust waive a material condition of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a Prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders of the Old Capital Securities, and the Company and the Trust will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act. Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement thereof, and such announcement in the case of an extension will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting the manner in which the Company and the Trust may choose to make any public announcement and subject to applicable law, the Company and the Trust shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate news agency. ACCEPTANCE FOR EXCHANGE AND ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Trust will exchange, and will issue to the Exchange Agent, Exchange Capital Securities for Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn promptly after the Expiration Date. In all cases, delivery of Exchange Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) Old Capital Securities or a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, including an Agent's Message if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal, (ii) the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees or (in the case of a book-entry transfer) an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. The term "book-entry confirmation" means a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from the tendering Participant (as defined herein), which acknowledgement states that such Participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the Trust and the Company may enforce such Letter of Transmittal against such Participant. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Trust will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged, Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when the Trust gives oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent of the Trust's acceptance of such Old Capital Securities for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the Trust for the purpose of receiving tenders of Old Capital Securities, Letters of Transmittal and related documents, and as agent for tendering holders for the purpose of receiving Old Capital Securities, Letters of Transmittal and related documents and transmitting Exchange Capital Securities to validly tendering holders. Such exchange will be made promptly after the Expiration Date. If for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange or the exchange of any Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer is delayed (whether before or after the Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities) or the Trust extends the Exchange Offer or is unable to accept for exchange or exchange Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then, without prejudice to the Trust's rights set forth herein, the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Trust and subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Capital Securities and such Old Capital Securities may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described under "-- Withdrawal Rights." Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu thereof, a holder of Old Capital Securities will warrant and agree in the Letter of Transmittal that it has full power and authority to tender, 23 34 exchange, sell, assign and transfer Old Capital Securities, that the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered Old Capital Securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the Old Capital Securities tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The holder also will warrant and agree that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Trust or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES VALID TENDER. Except as set forth below, for Old Capital Securities to be validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees or (in the case of a book-entry tender) an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under "-- Exchange Agent," on or prior to the Expiration Date and (i) tendered Old Capital Securities must be received by the Exchange Agent, or (ii) such Old Capital Securities must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth below and a book-entry confirmation, including an Agent's Message if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent, in each case on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below must be complied with. If less than all of the Old Capital Securities are tendered, a tendering holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal or so indicate in an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal. The entire amount of Old Capital Securities delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER, AND DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER. The Exchange Agent will establish an account with respect to the Old Capital Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer no later than two (2) business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry transfer facility system may make a book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing DTC to transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures for transfers. However, although delivery of Old Capital Securities may be effected through book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees or an Agent's Message in lieu of a Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, must in any case be delivered to and received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth below must be complied with. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. Certificates for the Old Capital Securities need not be endorsed and signature guarantees on the Letter of Transmittal are unnecessary unless (a) a certificate for the Old Capital Securities is registered in a name other than that of the person surrendering the certificate or (b) such holder completes the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal. In the case of (a) or (b) above, such certificates for Old Capital Securities must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed bond power, with the endorsement or signature on the bond power and on the Letter of Transmittal guaranteed by a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under 24 35 the Exchange Act as an "eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer Association (an "Eligible Institution"), unless surrendered on behalf of such Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal. GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a holder desires to tender Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the certificates for such Old Capital Securities are not immediately available or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, such Old Capital Securities may nevertheless be tendered, provided that all of the following guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with: (a) such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution; (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying the Letter of Transmittal, is received by the Exchange Agent, as provided below, on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (c) the certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing all tendered Old Capital Securities, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof), with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within three (3) NASDAQ trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, or transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of Exchange Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will in all cases be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of Old Capital Securities, or of a book-entry confirmation with respect to such Old Capital Securities, and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof), together with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, the delivery of Exchange Capital Securities might not be made to all tendering holders at the same time, and will depend upon when Old Capital Securities, book-entry confirmations with respect to Old Capital Securities and other required documents are received by the Exchange Agent. The Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering holder and the Trust upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY. All questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tendered Old Capital Securities will be determined by the Company and the Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the opinion of counsel to the Company and the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer as set forth under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any condition or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders. The interpretation by the Company and the Trust of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Company or the 25 36 Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney, or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company and the Trust, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of such person's authority to so act must be submitted. A beneficial owner of Old Capital Securities that are held by or registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such beneficial holder wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer. RESALES OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES The Trust is making the Exchange Offer for the Exchange Capital Securities in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other transactions. However, neither the Company nor the Trust sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two immediately following sentences, the Company and the Trust believe that Exchange Capital Securities issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital Securities from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such Exchange Capital Securities. Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) such holder is not an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust, (ii) any Exchange Capital Securities to be received by such holder are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. In addition, the Company and the Trust may require such holder, as a condition to such holder's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company and the Trust (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Capital Securities to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Capital Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the result of market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the 26 37 requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Company and the Trust believe that Participating Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the period referred to below in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such Exchange Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." A Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company or the Trust, or cause the Company or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "-- Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust may not rely on such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company or the Trust has amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company or the Trust has given notice that the sale of the Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. If the Company or the Trust gives such notice to suspend the sale of the Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable), it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital Securities by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the Exchange Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Company or the Trust has given notice that the sale of Exchange Capital Securities (or the Exchange Guarantee or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. 27 38 WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and (if certificates for such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Old Capital Securities, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital Securities. If Old Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "-- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Capital Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described above under "-- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities." All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Trust, in its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof promptly after withdrawal. DISTRIBUTIONS ON EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. Accordingly, holders of Exchange Capital Securities as of the record date for the payment of Distributions on August 1, 1997 will be entitled to receive Distributions accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any extension of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will not be required to accept for exchange, or to exchange, any Old Capital Securities for any Exchange Capital Securities, and, as described below, may terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange) or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any of the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied: (a) there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the staff of the Commission which permits the Exchange Capital Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than broker-dealers and any such holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided that such Exchange Capital Securities are acquired in 28 39 the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Capital Securities; or (b) any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or enacted which, in the judgment of the Company or the Trust, would reasonably be expected to impair its ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or (c) a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Trust, threatened for that purpose or any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval the Company or the Trust shall, in its sole discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby. (d) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of the consummation of the Exchange Offer there is more than an insubstantial risk that (x) the Trust would be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (y) interest payable by the Company on the Junior Subordinated Debentures would not be deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income purposes, or (z) the Trust would be subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges, in which case the Company and the Trust may, in lieu of consummating of the Exchange Offer, file a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement. If the Company or the Trust determines in its sole and absolute discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied, it may, subject to applicable law, terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange) or may waive any such condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If such waiver or amendment constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, the Company or the Trust will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a Prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital Securities and will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act. EXCHANGE AGENT The Chase Manhattan Bank has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Delivery of the Letters of Transmittal and any other required documents, questions, requests for assistance, and requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent as follows: BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Attention: Sharon Lewis Confirm by Telephone: (212) 638-0454 Facsimile Transmissions: (Eligible Institutions Only) (212) 638-7380 Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery. 29 40 FEES AND EXPENSES The Company has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus and related documents to the beneficial owners of Old Capital Securities, and in handling or tendering for their customers. Holders who tender their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder. Neither the Company nor the Trust will make any payment to brokers, dealers or other nominees soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE SECURITIES DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust has issued the Old Capital Securities and the Common Securities and will issue the Exchange Capital Securities. The Exchange Capital Securities will represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust and the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities and the Old Capital Securities will be entitled to a preference over the Common Securities in certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on redemption of the Trust Securities or liquidation of the Trust. See "--Subordination of Common Securities." The Trust Agreement has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). This summary of all of the material provisions of the Exchange Capital Securities and the Trust Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Trust Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms. A copy of the Trust Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. GENERAL The Capital Securities (including the Old Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities) are limited to $110,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount at any one time outstanding. The Capital Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities except as described under "-- Subordination of Common Securities." Legal title to the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be held by the Property Trustee in trust on behalf of the Trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities and Common Securities. The Exchange Guarantee will not guarantee payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the Exchange Capital Securities or liquidation of the Trust when the Trust does not have funds on hand legally available for such payments. See "-- Description of Exchange Guarantee." DISTRIBUTIONS Distributions on the Exchange Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from January 31, 1997 (the date of original issuance of the Old Capital Securities) or from the latest date to which interest thereon has been duly paid or provided for at the annual rate of 8.82% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 1997, to the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities on the relevant record dates. The record dates will be the fifteenth day preceding the relevant Distribution Date (as defined below). The amount of Distributions payable for any 30 41 period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in a period. In the event that any date on which Distributions are payable on the Exchange Capital Securities is not a Business Day (as defined below), then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect to any such delay), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each date on which Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed. So long as no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company will have the right under the Indenture to defer the payment of interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Upon any such election, semi-annual Distributions on the Exchange Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during any such Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of the Exchange Capital Securities are entitled during any such Extension Period will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the rate per annum of 8.82% thereof, compounded semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Date, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in a period, but not exceeding the interest rate then accruing on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. The term "Distributions," as used herein, shall include any such additional Distributions. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, and so long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may further extend the Extension Period provided that no Extension Period may exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, and subject to the foregoing limitations, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period. The Company must give the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee notice of its election of any such Extension Period at least five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Capital Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are required to give notice to any securities exchange or to holders of such Exchange Capital Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable but in any event not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such record date. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount." During any such Extension Period, the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company (including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with, or junior in right of payment to, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with, or junior in right of payment to, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class, or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock 31 42 pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans). None of the Company's subsidiaries will be prohibited from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or from making payments with respect to its debt securities. Although the Company may in the future exercise its right to defer payments of interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company has no such current intention. The revenue of the Trust available for distribution to holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust. See "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- General." If the Company does not make interest payments on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have funds available to pay Distributions on the Exchange Capital Securities. The payment of Distributions (if and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the payment of such Distributions) will be guaranteed by the Company on a limited basis as set forth herein under "-- Description of Exchange Guarantee." CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO SHORTEN MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right, prior to the termination of the Trust, either (i) to shorten the Stated Maturity of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but not less than 20 years from the date of original issuance thereof, such that, in the written opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after shortening the maturity, interest paid on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax purposes (the action referred to above being referred to herein as a "Tax Event Maturity Shortening") or (ii) to prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, as described below. If a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event occurs, then the Company shall have the right, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event or Investment Company Event, as the case may be, to prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) in the manner and at the price determined as set forth under "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment," and therefore to cause a mandatory redemption of the Exchange Capital Securities prior to the Stated Maturity (the circumstances under which the Company has the right to so prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures in connection with a Tax Event being referred to herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event"). Each of a Conditional Tax Redemption Event or an Investment Company Event are sometimes referred to herein as a "Special Event." REDEMPTION Upon the repayment on the Stated Maturity or prepayment prior to the Stated Maturity of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the proceeds from such repayment or prepayment shall be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Trust Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice of a date of redemption (the "Redemption Date"), at the applicable Redemption Price, which shall be equal to (i) in the case of the repayment of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Stated Maturity, the Maturity Redemption Price (equal to the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures), (ii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (equal to the Special Event Prepayment Price in respect of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures) and (iii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures other than as contemplated in clause (ii) above, the Optional Redemption Price (equal to the Optional Prepayment Price in respect of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures). See "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Prepayment" and "-- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment." "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to be paid in 32 43 accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to a distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the holder to whom such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed. The Company will have the option to prepay the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, (i) in whole or in part, on or after February 1, 2007, at the applicable Optional Prepayment Price and (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time, upon the occurrence of a Special Event, at the Special Event Prepayment Price. LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST AND DISTRIBUTION OF EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES The Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and cause a Like Amount of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to the Company's having received an opinion by independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the holders will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and such distribution to holders of Exchange Capital Securities. The Trust shall automatically dissolve upon the first to occur of: (i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) the distribution of a Like Amount of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Trust Securities, if the Company, as Sponsor, has given a written direction to the Property Trustee to terminate the Trust (which direction is optional and, except as described above, wholly within the discretion of the Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities); (iii) redemption of all of the Trust Securities as described under "-- Redemption"; (iv) expiration of the term of the Trust; and (v) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction. If a dissolution occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iv) or (v) above, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the Administrative Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, to the holders of the Trust Securities a Like Amount of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in which event such holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets on hand legally available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis, except that if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common Securities. See "-- Subordination of Common Securities." If an early dissolution occurs as described in clause (v) above, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subject to optional prepayment, in whole but not in part, on or after February 1, 2007. If the Company elects not to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures prior to maturity in accordance with their terms and either elects not to or is unable to liquidate the Trust and distribute the Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Trust Securities, the Trust Securities will remain outstanding until the repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Stated Maturity. After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Trust Securities, (i) the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) each registered global certificate, if any, representing Trust Securities and held by DTC or its nominee will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution and (iii) any certificates representing Trust Securities not held by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such certificates are presented to the 33 44 Administrative Trustees or their agent for cancellation, whereupon the Company will issue to such holder, and the Debenture Trustee will authenticate, a certificate representing such Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "-- Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer." There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Exchange Capital Securities or the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in exchange for the Trust Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may purchase, or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that the investor may receive on dissolution and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered hereby. REDEMPTION PROCEDURES If applicable, Trust Securities shall be redeemed at the applicable Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous repayment or prepayment of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. Any redemption of Trust Securities shall be made and the applicable Redemption Price shall be payable on the Redemption Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds legally available for the payment of such applicable Redemption Price. See also "-- Subordination of Common Securities." If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date, to the extent funds are legally available, with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities held by DTC or its nominees, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities held by DTC or its nominee. See "-- Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer." With respect to the Exchange Capital Securities held in certificated form, the Property Trustee, to the extent funds are legally available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the Exchange Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates evidencing the Exchange Capital Securities. See "-- Payment and Paying Agency." Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the holders of such Exchange Capital Securities on the relevant record dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will cease, except the right of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and the Exchange Capital Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any Redemption Date of Exchange Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then the applicable Redemption Price payable on such date will be paid on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the event that payment of the applicable Redemption Price is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Guarantee as described under "-- Description of Exchange Guarantee," (i) Distributions on the Exchange Capital Securities will continue to accumulate at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established by the Trust to the date such applicable Redemption Price is actually paid, and (ii) the actual payment date will be the Redemption Date for purposes of calculating the applicable Redemption Price. Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities law), the Company or its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Exchange Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. If less than all of the Capital Securities and Common Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities to be redeemed shall generally be allocated pro rata among the Capital Securities and Common Securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. 34 45 Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities at its registered address. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the applicable Prepayment Price on, or in the repayment of, the Junior Subordinated Debentures, on and after the Redemption Date Distributions will cease to accrue on the Trust Securities called for redemption. SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities and Common Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata based on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and Common Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution on, or applicable Redemption Price of, any of the Common Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of the Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding Capital Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the applicable Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities then due and payable. In the case of any Event of Default (as defined below), the Company as holder of the Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to such Event of Default until the effect of such Event of Default shall have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any such Event of Default has been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities and not on behalf of the Company as holder of the Common Securities, and only the holders of the Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE The occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default (see "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default") constitutes an "Event of Default" under the Trust Agreement. Within ninety days after the occurrence of any Event of Default actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to the holders of the Capital Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Company as Sponsor, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. The Company as Sponsor, and the Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property Trustee a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust Agreement. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities as described under "-- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures" and "-- Subordination of Common Securities." REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Issuer Trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the Common Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Company as the holder of the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of an Issuer Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement. 35 46 MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES Any company into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any company resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Issuer Trustee shall be a party, or any company succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such Issuer Trustee, shall be the successor of such Issuer Trustee under the Trust Agreement, provided such company shall be otherwise qualified and eligible. MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any company or other Person, except as described below. The Trust may, at the request of the Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, with the consent of the Administrative Trustees but without the consent of the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or the holders of the Capital Securities, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Trust Securities or (b) substitutes for the Trust Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Trust Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Trust Securities rank with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) the Company expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Capital Securities are then listed or quoted, if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Trust Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than any dilution of such holders' interests in the new entity), (vi) such successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust, (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Company has received an opinion from independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Trust Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than any dilution of such holders' interests in the new entity), and (b) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, (viii) the Company or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the common securities of such successor entity and guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee and (ix) the Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or the successor entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT Except as provided below and under "-- Removal of Issuer Trustees," "-- Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamation or Replacements of the Trust" and "Description of Exchange Guarantee -- Amendments and 36 47 Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the terms of the Trust Securities and the Trust Agreement, the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will have no voting rights. The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees without the consent of the holders of the Trust Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Trust Agreement, which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Trust Agreement, (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) to qualify or maintain qualification of the Trust Agreement under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in each case, such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the Trust Securities. Any amendments of the Trust Agreement pursuant to the foregoing shall become effective when notice thereof is sent to the holders of the Trust Securities. The Trust Agreement may be amended by the Issuer Trustees and the Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, with the consent of holders representing a majority (based upon Liquidation Amount) of the outstanding Trust Securities and upon receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Issuer Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act, provided that, without the consent of each holder of Trust Securities, the Trust Agreement may not be amended (i) to change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) to restrict the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date. So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities, the Issuer Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or execute any trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive certain past defaults under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Junior Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each holder of the Capital Securities. The Issuer Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of such holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect there is no more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust on account of such action. Any required approval of holders of Exchange Capital Securities may be given at a meeting of such holders convened for such purpose or pursuant to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of Exchange Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to each holder of record of Exchange Capital Securities in the manner set forth in the Trust Agreement. No vote or consent of the holders of Exchange Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel the Exchange Capital Securities in accordance with the Trust Agreement. 37 48 Notwithstanding that holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Company, the Issuer Trustees or any affiliate of the Company or any Issuer Trustees, shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Company as the holder of all the outstanding Common Securities. FORM, DENOMINATION, BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND TRANSFER The Exchange Capital Securities initially will be represented by one or more Exchange Capital Securities certificates in registered, global form (collectively, the "Global Capital Securities"). The Global Capital Securities will be deposited upon issuance with the Property Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Except as set forth below, the Global Capital Securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities may not be exchanged for Capital Securities in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below. See "-- Exchange of Book-Entry Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities." Other Exchange Capital Securities will be issued only in registered, certificated (i.e., non-global) form. Other Exchange Capital Securities may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Exchange Global Capital Securities except in the limited circumstances described below. See "-- Exchange of Certificated Capital Securities for Book-Entry Capital Securities." Transfer of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and CEDEL), which may change from time to time. Depositary Procedures DTC has advised the Trust and the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks, trust companies, clearing companies and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants. DTC has also advised the Trust and the Company that, pursuant to procedures established by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Capital Securities, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants with portions of the Liquidation Amount of the Global Capital Securities equal to the respective Liquidation Amounts of Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global Capital Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities). 38 49 Investors in the Global Capital Securities may hold their interests therein directly through DTC if they are Participants, or indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and CEDEL) which are Participants. All interests in a Global Capital Security, including those held through Euroclear or CEDEL, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or CEDEL may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such system. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability of the Capital Securities, see "-- Exchange of Book-Entry Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities", and "-- Exchange of Certificated Capital Securities for Book-Entry Capital Securities" below. Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Capital Securities will not have Capital Securities registered in their name, will not receive physical delivery of Capital Securities in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Trust Agreement for any purpose. Payments in respect of the Global Capital Securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the Property Trustee to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder under the Trust Agreement. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Capital Securities, including the Global Capital Securities, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Property Trustee nor any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Capital Securities, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Capital Securities or (ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC has advised the Trust and the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the Capital Securities, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in Liquidation Amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Capital Securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Property Trustee, the Trust or the Company. Neither the Trust or the Company nor the Property Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Capital Securities, and the Trust or the Company and the Property Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes. Except for trades involving only Euroclear and CEDEL participants, interests in the Global Capital Securities will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its Participants. Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and CEDEL will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Capital Securities described herein, crossmarket transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or CEDEL participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of 39 50 Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Capital Securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and CEDEL participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or CEDEL. Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or CEDEL participant purchasing an interest in a Global Capital Security from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or CEDEL participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and CEDEL) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or CEDEL as a result of sales of interest in a Global Capital Security by or through a Euroclear or CEDEL participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or CEDEL cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or CEDEL following DTC's settlement date. DTC has advised the Trust and the Company that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of Exchange Capital Securities only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Capital Securities are credited and only in respect of such portion of the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities in certificated form and to distribute such Exchange Capital Securities to its Participants. The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear and CEDEL and their book-entry systems, has been obtained from sources that the Trust and the Company believe to be reliable, but neither the Trust nor the Company takes responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Neither the Trust or the Company nor the Property Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or CEDEL or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations. Exchange of Book-Entry Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities A Global Capital Security is exchangeable for Exchange Capital Securities in registered certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Trust that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Capital Security and the Trust thereupon fails to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company in its sole discretion elects to cause the issuance of the Exchange Capital Securities in certificated form or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would be an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security may be exchanged for certificated Exchange Capital Securities upon request but only upon at least 20 days prior written notice given to the Property Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary procedures. In all cases, certificated Exchange Capital Securities delivered in exchange for any Global Capital Security or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Exchange of Certificated Capital Securities for Book-Entry Capital Securities Other Capital Securities, which will be issued in certificated form, may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Capital Security unless such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of such other Capital Securities and the transferor first delivers to the Property Trustee a written certificate (in the 40 51 form provided in the Trust Agreement) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such Capital Securities. PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY The clearing agency for the Exchange Capital Securities (the "Clearing Agency") shall initially be DTC. Payments in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities held in global form shall be made to the Clearing Agency, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the Clearing Agency on the applicable Distribution Dates or, in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities that are not held by the Clearing Agency, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the register. The paying agent for the Exchange Capital Securities (the "Paying Agent") shall initially be the Property Trustee. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Property Trustee and the Company. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a successor (which shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the Administrative Trustees) to act as Paying Agent. REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT The Property Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the Exchange Capital Securities. Registration of transfers of the Exchange Capital Securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, subject to payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. The Trust will not be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of the Exchange Capital Securities after they have been called for redemption. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Trust Agreement and, after such Event of Default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Trust Agreement at the request of any holder of Trust Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the Trust Agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities are entitled under the Trust Agreement to vote, then the Property Trustee shall take such action as is directed by the Company and, if not so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the Trust Securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct. The Property Trustee currently provides commercial banking and other services to the Company. MISCELLANEOUS The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate the Trust in such a way that the Trust (i) will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, (ii) will continue to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust, and (iii) will cooperate with the Company to ensure that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of the Trust or the Trust Agreement, that the Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Trust Securities. Holders of the Trust Securities have no preemptive or similar rights. 41 52 The Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge any of its assets. DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES The Old Junior Subordinated Debentures were issued and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued under the Indenture. The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture does not purport to be complete, and where reference is made to particular provisions of the Indenture, such provisions, including the definitions of certain terms, some of which are not otherwise defined herein, are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the Indenture and those terms made a part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act. GENERAL Concurrently with the issuance of the Old Trust Securities, the Trust invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the Company for the Common Securities, in Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to the Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal amount of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures as soon as practicable after the date hereof. Interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be cumulative, and will accrue from January 31, 1997 (the date of original issuance of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures) or from the latest date to which interest thereon has been duly paid or provided for at the annual rate of 8.82% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing August 1, 1997, to the person in whose name each Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the close of business on the fifteenth day preceding the relevant payment date. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the Trust, each Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture will be held in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in a period. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. Accrued interest that is not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date will bear additional interest on the amount thereof (to the extent permitted by law) at the rate per annum of 8.82% thereof, compounded semiannually. The term "interest", as used herein, shall include semi-annual interest payments, interest on semi-annual interest payments not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date and Additional Sums (as defined below), as applicable. The Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on February 1, 2037. The Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and with all Other Debentures and will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture to all Senior Indebtedness. See "-- Subordination." Because the Company is a nonoperating holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the Exchange Capital Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution), is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and holders of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition, since the Company's operating subsidiary is a reinsurance company subject to regulatory control by the Connecticut Insurance Department, the ability of such subsidiary to pay dividends to the Company without prior regulatory approval 42 53 is limited by applicable laws and regulations. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company, including Senior Indebtedness. See "-- Subordination." FORM, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER If the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures may be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co. as the nominee of DTC. The depositary arrangements for such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures are expected to be substantially similar to those in effect for the Exchange Capital Securities. For a description of DTC and the terms of the depositary arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting rights, redemptions and other notices and other matters, see "-- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer." PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS Payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made at the office of the Debenture Trustee in The City of New York or at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate from time to time, except that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the register for Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in such register, provided that proper transfer instructions have been received by the relevant Record Date. Payment of any interest on any Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture will be made to the Person in whose name such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent. Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal, interest or premium, if any, on any Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, interest or premium, if any, has become due and payable shall, at the request of the Company, be repaid to the Company and the holder of such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture shall thereafter look, as a general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for payment thereof. OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT DATE So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company will have the right under the Indenture at any time during the term of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to defer the payment of interest at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity. At the end of such Extension Period, the Company must pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of 8.82%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law). During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue and holders of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures (and holders of Exchange Capital Securities while Exchange Capital Securities are outstanding) will be required to include the accruals of such interest in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes (as original issue discount) prior to the receipt of cash attributable to such interest. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount." During any such Extension Period, the Company may not and may not permit any subsidiary to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company (including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect 43 54 to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for, or purchase shares of, common stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans). None of the Company's subsidiaries will be prohibited from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or from making payments with respect to its debt securities. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, and so long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may further extend the Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof. The Company must give the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee notice of its election of any Extension Period (or an extension thereof) at least five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Trust Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are required to give notice to any securities exchange or to holders of Capital Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than five Business Days prior to such record date. The Property Trustee shall give notice of the Company's election to begin or extend a new Extension Period to the holders of the Capital Securities. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT The Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be prepayable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company on or after February 1, 2007, at a prepayment price (the "Optional Prepayment Price") equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to be prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment and any Additional Sums (as defined in "-- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment"). CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO SHORTEN MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT PREPAYMENT If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right, prior to the termination of the Trust, either (i) to shorten the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but not less than 20 years from the date of original issuance thereof, such that in the written opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after shortening the maturity, interest paid on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax purposes or (ii) to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures as described below. If a Special Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, at a prepayment price (the "Special Event Prepayment Price") equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Junior Subordinated Debentures or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to February 1, 2007, the first date on which the Junior Subordinated Debentures are subject to optional prepayment, in each case discounted to the prepayment date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 44 55 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment and any Additional Sums (as defined herein). A "Special Event" means a Conditional Tax Redemption Event (as defined under "-- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Redemption") or an Investment Company Event, as the case may be. "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any prepayment date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such prepayment date plus (i) 1.25% if such prepayment date occurs on or prior to February 1, 1998 and (ii) 0.50% in all other cases. "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term to the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be prepaid that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. "Quotation Agent" means: (i) Lehman Brothers Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after consultation with the Company. "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any prepayment date, (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such prepayment date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Debenture Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations. "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Quotation Agent and any prepayment date, the average, as determined by the Debenture Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted to the Debenture Trustee by such Quotation Agent at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date. "Additional Sums" as hereinafter used means the additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by the Trust on the outstanding Capital Securities and Common Securities shall not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event. Notice of any prepayment will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to be prepaid at its registered address. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the prepayment price, on and after the prepayment date, interest ceases to accrue on such Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures called for prepayment. If the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay as additional amounts on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures the Additional Sums. 45 56 RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS; COVENANTS AS TO THE TRUST The Company will covenant that if, at any time, (1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (x) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be, a Debenture Event of Default and (y) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Trust or (3) the Company shall have given notice of its election of an Extension Period as provided in the Indenture and shall not have rescinded such notice, and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall have commenced, then the Company will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company (including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company (including under Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans). The Company's covenants will not prevent its subsidiaries from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to capital stock of the subsidiaries or from making payments with respect to debt securities of the subsidiaries. The Company has covenanted in the Indenture that, for so long as the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures are issued to the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, the Company will (i) directly or indirectly maintain ownership of all of the outstanding Common Securities of the Trust, provided that certain successors which are permitted pursuant to the Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the Common Securities, and (ii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a business trust, except in connection with a distribution of Capital Securities, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations each as permitted by the Trust Agreement, and (b) consistent with the terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement, to continue to be classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a Company for United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder to be treated as owning an individual beneficial interest in the Capital Securities. MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE From time to time the Company and the Debenture Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies (provided that any such action does not materially adversely affect the interest of the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) and qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, to modify the Indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, that no such modification may, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture so affected, (i) change the Stated 46 57 Maturity, or reduce the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon or (ii) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of which are required to consent to any such modification of the Indenture. DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described events with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures constitutes a "Debenture Event of Default" (whatever the reason for such Debenture Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body): (i) failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or any Other Debentures, when due (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or (ii) failure to pay any principal of or premium, if any, on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures or any Other Debentures when due whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise; or (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain other covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to the Company from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; or (iv) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company. The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may declare the principal due and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of Default (other than an Event of Default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or a reorganization involving the Company). If an Event of Default results from bankruptcy, insolvency or a reorganization involving the Company, the Debentures shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may annul such declaration and waive the default if the default (other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration) has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee. The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of the holders of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures, waive any past default, except a default in the payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, premium, if any, and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and shall be attributable to the failure of the Company to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the due date, a holder of Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action. The Company may not amend the Indenture to remove the foregoing right to bring a Direct Action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the Capital Securities. If the right to bring a Direct Action is removed following the Exchange Offer, the Trust may become subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Exchange Capital Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct Action, the Company shall remain obligated to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Capital Securities with respect to payments on the Exchange Capital Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action. 47 58 The holders of the Exchange Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph, available to the holders of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures unless there shall have been an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. See "-- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Events of Default; Notice." CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any Person, (whether or not affiliated with the Company) unless: (i) the Company is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of property is made is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or the District of Columbia, and such successor Person expressly assumes the Company's obligations on the Junior Subordinated Debentures; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Debenture Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become a Debenture Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions as prescribed in the Indenture are met. The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable at maturity within one year or are to be called for prepayment within one year, and the Company deposits or causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the purpose and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation, for the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of the deposit or to the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, then the Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to the Company's obligations to pay all other sums due pursuant to the Indenture and to provide the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described therein), and the Company will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the Indenture. SUBORDINATION In the Indenture, the Company has covenanted and agreed that any Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Indenture. Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of the Company, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect thereof. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. No payments on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made if there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Indebtedness, or an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default. 48 59 "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) Indebtedness for Money Borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company, (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company, (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any conditional sale or title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations, contingent or otherwise of the Company in respect of any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facilities or similar credit transaction, (v) all obligations in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements, (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (2) any indebtedness between or among the Company or its affiliates, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities issued to (a) any other Trenwick Capital Trust or a trustee of such trust and (b) any other trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing vehicle of the Company (a "financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such a financing entity of preferred securities or other securities that rank pari passu with, or junior to, the Capital Securities. Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness. "Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments. By reason of such subordination, in the event of an insolvency, creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain general creditors of the Company, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Additionally, the Company currently conducts substantially all of its operations through a subsidiary, and the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be structurally subordinated to the creditors of such subsidiary. The Company relies primarily on dividends from such subsidiary to meet its obligations for payment of its corporate expenses and principal and interest on its outstanding debt obligations. See "Risk Factors -- Ranking of Subordinated Obligations under the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures." The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional Senior Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness. GOVERNING LAW The Indenture and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE Following the Exchange Offer and the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, the Debenture Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request of any holder of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not required to 49 60 expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it. The Debenture Trustee currently provides commercial banking and other services to the Company. DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE GUARANTEE The Old Guarantee was executed and delivered by the Company concurrently with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital Securities for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Old Capital Securities. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Old Guarantee will be exchanged by the Company for the Exchange Guarantee for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Exchange Capital Securities. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are not tendered and accepted pursuant to the Exchange Offer for Exchange Capital Securities, the Company will continue to provide the holders of Old Capital Securities with the guarantees set forth under the Old Guarantee. The Chase Manhattan Bank will act as trustee ("Guarantee Trustee") under the Exchange Guarantee. The Exchange Guarantee has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary description of all the material provisions of the Exchange Guarantee does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Exchange Guarantee, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee will hold the Exchange Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities. GENERAL The Company will fully, irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis, to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) to the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Trust may have or assert other than the defense of payment. The following payments with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Exchange Guarantee: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on Exchange Capital Securities, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, (ii) the applicable Redemption Price with respect to Exchange Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, or (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of the Trust (other than in connection with the distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities in exchange for Exchange Capital Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement), the lesser of (a) the Liquidation Distribution and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of Exchange Capital Securities to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts to such holders. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company's obligations under the Exchange Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Company for payments thereunder. See "-- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- General." The Exchange Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company, including Senior Indebtedness, whether under the Indenture, any other indenture that the Company has entered into or may enter into in the future or otherwise. The Company will, through the Exchange Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee all of the Trust's obligations under the Exchange Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the 50 61 combined operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Trust's obligations under the Exchange Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among the Exchange Capital Securities, the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee." STATUS OF EXCHANGE GUARANTEE The Exchange Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company. The Exchange Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will be (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company; (ii) pari passu with (A) the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company, and (B) any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company, in respect of any capital securities or common securities of any Other Trusts; and (iii) senior to the Company's common stock. The Exchange Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). The Exchange Guarantee will be held for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Exchange Guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the Trust or upon distribution to the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Exchange Guarantee does not place a limitation on the amount of additional Senior Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness. AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect the rights of holders of the Exchange Capital Securities (in which case no consent of holders will be required), the Exchange Guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the Liquidation Amount of such outstanding Exchange Capital Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval will be as set forth under "-- Description of the Exchange Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement." All guarantees and agreements contained in the Exchange Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities then outstanding. EVENTS OF DEFAULT An event of default under the Exchange Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Exchange Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Exchange Guarantee. Any holder of the Exchange Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Exchange Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Company, as guarantor, will be required to file annually with the Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Exchange Guarantee. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the continuance of a default by the Company in performance of the Exchange Guarantee, will undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Exchange Guarantee and, during the continuance of such a default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Guarantee Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Exchange Guarantee at the request of any holder of the Exchange Capital Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. 51 62 The Guarantee Trustee currently provides commercial banking and other services to the Company. TERMINATION OF THE EXCHANGE GUARANTEE The Exchange Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full payment of the applicable Redemption Price of the Exchange Capital Securities, upon full payment of the Liquidation Amount payable upon liquidation of the Trust or upon distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Capital Securities. The Exchange Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the Exchange Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Exchange Capital Securities or the Exchange Guarantee. GOVERNING LAW The Exchange Guarantee will be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES The information contained in this section is relevant to holders of Old Securities whose Old Securities are not to be tendered and accepted for exchange by the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities." The terms of the Old Securities are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Securities, except that (i) the Old Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, are subject to certain restrictions on transfer and are entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (which rights will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, except under limited circumstances), (ii) the Old Securities contain a $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer applicable to Old Capital Securities, (iii) the Old Capital Securities provide for additional Distributions which will terminate as set forth below, (iv) the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures contain a $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer restriction and (v) the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures provide for additional interest which will terminate as set forth below. The Registration Rights Agreement provides that, if an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (if required to be filed) is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to July 25, 1997, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and Additional Distributions will accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities affected thereby commencing July 28, 1997, at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital Securities, for the period from the occurrence of such event until such time the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any required Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective. In addition, if the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby and Additional Distributions will accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities affected thereby, until the Exchange Offer is consummated. Upon the completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will have satisfied their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and the Old Securities will not be entitled to any such additional interest or Distributions. Accordingly, holders of Old Capital Securities should review the information set forth under "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Exchange Securities." RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE EXCHANGE GUARANTEE FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Exchange Capital Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the payment of such Distributions) will be irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent set forth under "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Guarantee." Taken together, the Company's obligations under the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Exchange Guarantee will provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the 52 63 Exchange Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Trust's obligations under the Exchange Capital Securities. If and to the extent that the Company does not make the required payments on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions, on the Exchange Capital Securities. The Exchange Guarantee will not cover any such payment when the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally available therefor. In such event, the remedy of a holder of Exchange Capital Securities is to institute a Direct Action. The obligations of the Company under the Exchange Guarantee will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness. SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to cover Distributions and other payments due on the Exchange Capital Securities, primarily because: (i) the aggregate principal amount or Prepayment Price of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the sum of the Liquidation Amount or Redemption Price, as applicable, of the Exchange Capital Securities and Common Securities; (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and Distribution and other payment dates for the Trust Securities; (iii) the Company shall pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust except the Trust's obligations to holders of Trust Securities under such Trust Securities; and (iv) the Trust Agreement provides that the Trust is not authorized to engage in any activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes thereof. ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES A holder of any Exchange Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Exchange Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Trust or any other person or entity. A default or event of default under any Senior Indebtedness would not constitute a default or Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Indebtedness, the subordination provisions of the Indenture provide that no payments may be made in respect of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures until such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. LIMITED PURPOSE OF THE TRUST The Exchange Capital Securities will represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) using the proceeds from the sale of Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iv) making Distributions to holders of the Trust Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement and (v) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). A principal difference between the rights of a holder of an Exchange Capital Security and a holder of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture is that a holder of a Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture will be entitled to receive from the Company the principal amount of (and premium, if any) and interest on Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures held, while a holder of Exchange Capital Securities is entitled to receive Distributions from the Trust (or, in certain circumstances, from the Company under the Exchange Guarantee) if and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the payment of such Distributions. RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION Unless the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of the Trust Securities, upon any voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of the Trust, the holders of the Trust Securities will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by the Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See 53 64 "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities -- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures." Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company, the Property Trustee, as holder of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness as set forth in the Indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, before any stockholders of the Company receive payments or distributions. Since the Company will be the guarantor under the Exchange Guarantee and will agree to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust (other than the Trust's obligations to the holders of its Trust Securities), the positions of a holder of Exchange Capital Securities and a holder of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures relative to stockholders of the Company in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company are expected to be substantially the same. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES GENERAL In the opinion of Baker & McKenzie, tax counsel to the Company and the Trust ("Tax Counsel"), the following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the exchange of Old Securities for Exchange Securities, and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Exchange Capital Securities held as capital assets by a holder. This summary does not deal with special classes of holders such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, tax-exempt investors, or persons that hold or will hold the Capital Securities as a position in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic security" or "hedge," as part of a "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment, or as other than a capital asset. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar or the tax consequences to shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a holder of Capital Securities. Further, it does not include any description of any alternative minimum tax consequences or the tax laws of any state or local government or of any foreign government that may be applicable to the Capital Securities. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations thereunder, the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. An opinion of Tax Counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the courts. Prospective investors should note that no rulings have been or are expected to be sought from the IRS and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not take contrary positions. Moreover, no assurance can be given that any of the opinions expressed herein will not be challenged by the IRS or, if challenged, that such a challenge would not be successful. CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST In connection with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, Tax Counsel rendered its opinion that, under then current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Indenture (and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and assumptions contained in such opinion, the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, each holder of Capital Securities generally will be considered the owner of an undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and each holder will be required to include in its gross income any interest (or accrued original issue discount ("OID")) with respect to its allocable share of those Junior Subordinated Debentures. EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES The exchange of Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities should not be a taxable event to holders for United States federal income tax purposes because (a) the Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures should not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the Old Capital Securities and Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and (b) the exchange will occur by 54 65 operation of the terms of the Old Capital Securities and Old Junior Subordinated Debentures. If, however, the exchange of the Old Capital Securities for the Exchange Capital Securities were treated as an exchange for federal income tax purposes, such exchange should constitute a tax-free recapitalization for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures should have the same issue price as the Old Capital Securities and Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, and a holder should have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures as the holder had in the Old Capital Securities and Old Junior Subordinated Debentures immediately before the exchange. CLASSIFICATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES In connection with the issuance of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, Tax Counsel rendered its opinion generally to the effect that, under then current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Indenture (and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and assumptions contained in such opinion, the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Company. INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT Under recently issued Treasury regulations (the "Regulations") applicable to debt instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996, a "remote" contingency that stated interest will not be timely paid will be ignored in determining whether a debt instrument is issued with OID. The Company believes that the likelihood of its exercising its option to defer payments of interest is "remote" since exercising that option would prevent the Company from declaring dividends on any class of its equity securities. Accordingly, the Company intends to take the position that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will not be considered to have been issued with OID and, accordingly, stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures generally will be taxable to a holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with such holder's method of accounting. Under the Regulations, if the Company were to exercise its option to defer payments of interest, the Junior Subordinated Debentures would at that time be treated as reissued with OID, and all stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures would thereafter be treated as OID as long as the Junior Subordinated Debentures remain outstanding. In such event, all of a holder's taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures would thereafter be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income. Consequently, a holder of Capital Securities would be required to include in gross income OID even though the Company would not make actual cash payments during an Extension Period. Moreover, under the Regulations, if the option to defer the payment of interest was determined not to be "remote", the Junior Subordinated Debentures would be treated as having been originally issued with OID. In such event, all of a holder's taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures would be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income. The Regulations have not yet been addressed in any rulings or other interpretations by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS could take a position contrary to the interpretation herein. Because income on the Capital Securities will constitute interest or OID, corporate holders of the Capital Securities will not be entitled to a dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect to the Capital Securities. MARKET DISCOUNT AND BOND PREMIUM If a holder has acquired a Capital Security, other than upon original issue, for an amount less than its issue price, the Capital Security may be considered a "market discount bond." If a Capital Security is a market discount bond, a portion of the gain on the sale or redemption of the Capital Security (see "-- Sales of Capital Securities") equal to the amount of the market discount accrued with respect to the Capital Security 55 66 while it was held by the holder will be treated as interest income. In addition, interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry the Capital Security that is a market discount bond, to the extent that it exceeds in any year the interest on the Capital Security to be included in the holder's income for that year, may not be fully deductible in that year. The foregoing market discount rules will not apply if the holder elects to include in income in each taxable year the portion of the market discount attributable to that year (accrued on either a straight line or constant interest rate basis) with respect to all market discount bonds acquired during or after the taxable year in which such election is made. This election may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. If a holder has acquired a Capital Security, other than upon original issue, for an amount more than its stated redemption price at maturity, such holder may elect to amortize such bond premium on a yield to maturity basis. This election results in a deemed election to apply the same accrual principles to all of the holder's debt instruments with amortizable bond premium. This election may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST The Company will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities. Under current law, such a distribution, for United States federal income tax purposes, would be treated as a nontaxable event to each holder, and each holder would receive an aggregate tax basis in the Junior Subordinated Debentures equal to such holder's aggregate tax basis in its Capital Securities. A holder's holding period in the Junior Subordinated Debentures so received in liquidation of the Trust would include the period during which the Capital Securities were held by such holder. If, however, the Trust is characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as an association taxable as a corporation at the time of its dissolution, the distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may constitute a taxable event to holders of Capital Securities and a holder's holding period in Junior Subordinated Debentures would begin on the date such Junior Subordinated Debentures were received. Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Capital Securities"), the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Under current law, such a redemption would, for United States federal income tax purposes, constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed Capital Securities, and a holder could recognize gain or loss as if it sold such redeemed Capital Securities for cash. See "-- Sales of Capital Securities." SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES A holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in the Capital Securities and the amount realized on the sale of such Capital Securities (other than with respect to accrued and unpaid interest which has not yet been included in income, which will be treated as ordinary income). A holder's adjusted tax basis in the Capital Securities generally will be its initial purchase price increased by OID (if any) previously includible in such holder's gross income to the date of disposition and decreased by payments (if any) received on the Capital Securities in respect of OID. Subject to the discussion under "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Market Discount and Bond Premium" such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss and generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Capital Securities have been held for more than one year. The Capital Securities may trade at a price that does not accurately reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures. A holder who uses the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes (and a cash method holder, if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are deemed to have been issued with OID) who disposes of his Capital Securities between record dates for payments of distributions thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures through the date of disposition in income as ordinary income (i.e., interest or, possibly, OID), and to add such amount to his adjusted tax basis in his pro rata share of the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures deemed disposed of. To the extent the selling price is less than the holder's adjusted 56 67 tax basis (which will include all accrued but unpaid interest) a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes. PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION On February 6, 1997, as part of the Clinton Administration's Fiscal 1998 Budget Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the "Proposed Legislation") which would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of debt obligations, possibly including the Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after the date "of first committee action," if such debt obligations have a maximum term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Proposed Legislation would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt obligations, possibly including the Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued after the date "of first committee action," if such debt obligations have a weighted average maturity of more than 40 years. The Proposed Legislation has not yet been introduced by any member of the 105th Congress. If Congress were to enact any other proposed legislation, and if such enactment gave rise to a Tax Event, the Company would be permitted to cause a redemption of the Trust Securities at the Special Event Prepayment Price by electing to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures at the Special Event Prepayment Price. See "Description of Exchange Securities -- Description of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity and Special Event Prepayment." UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is any corporation, individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder for United States federal income tax purposes and for whom the income, and gain or loss, from the Exchange Capital Securities would not be treated as effectively connected with a United States trade or business. A "U.S. Holder" is a holder of Capital Securities who or which is a citizen or individual resident (or is treated as a citizen or individual resident) of the United States for federal income tax purposes, a corporation or partnership created or organized (or treated as created or organized for federal income tax purposes) in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or a trust or estate the income of which is includible in its gross income for federal income tax purposes without regard to its source. (For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996 (or for the immediately preceding taxable year, if the trustee of a trust so elects), a trust is a U.S. Holder for federal income tax purposes if, and only if, (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (ii) one or more United States trustees have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.) Under present United States federal income tax laws: (i) payments by the Trust or any of its paying agents to any holder of a Capital Security who or which is a United States Alien Holder will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax; provided that, (a) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Company through stock ownership, and (c) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security certifies to the Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States holder and provides its name and address or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "Financial Institution"), and holds the Capital Security in such capacity, certifies to the Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that such statement has been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a Financial Institution between it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy thereof; and (ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Capital Security will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of a Capital Security. INFORMATION REPORTING TO HOLDERS Generally, income on the Capital Securities will be reported to holders on Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to holders of Capital Securities by January 31 following each calendar year. 57 68 BACKUP WITHHOLDING Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31 percent unless the holder complies with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts will be allowed as a credit against the holder's United States federal income tax, provided the required information is provided to the IRS. THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), (an "ERISA Plan") considering the exchange of Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities, or an acquisition of Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) from a holder of such Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the ERISA Plan's particular circumstances before authorizing the investment in the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein). Among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether such an investment is in accordance with the documents governing the ERISA Plan and whether the investment is appropriate for the ERISA Plan in view of its overall investment policy and diversification of its portfolio. Certain provisions of ERISA and the Code prohibit ERISA Plans, as well as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to section 4975 of the Code (collectively, "Plans"), from engaging in certain transactions involving "plan assets" with parties that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Code with respect to the Plan. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final regulation (the "Regulation") with regard to whether the underlying assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests are deemed to be plan assets. Under such Regulation, for purposes of ERISA and section 4975 of the Code, the assets of the Trust would be deemed to be "plan assets" of a Plan whose assets were used to purchase Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) if the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) were considered to be equity interests in the Trust and no exception to plan asset status were applicable under the Regulation. If the assets of the Trust were deemed to be plan assets of Plans that are holders of the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein), a Plan's investment in the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) might be deemed to constitute a delegation under ERISA of the duty to manage plan assets by a fiduciary investing in Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein). In addition, the Company might be considered a "party in interest" or "disqualified person" with respect to Plans whose assets were used to acquire Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein). If this were the case, an investment in Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) by a Plan might constitute or, in the course of the operation of the Trust, give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code. In particular, it is likely that, under such circumstances, a prohibited "extension of credit" to the Company would be considered to occur under ERISA and the Code. Because of the possibility that the assets of the Trust would be considered plan assets of Plans whose assets were invested in the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein), and the likelihood that under such circumstances a prohibited extension of credit would occur, the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) may not be purchased or held by any Plan or any person investing "plan assets" of any Plan, 58 69 unless such purchaser or holder is eligible for the exemptive relief available under Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts) or PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified asset managers). The certificates representing the Exchange Capital Securities will bear a legend to the effect that either (a) the holder of the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) is not a Plan and is not purchasing such securities (or any interest therein) on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan or (b) the holder's purchase and holding of the Exchange Capital Securities (or any interest therein) is eligible for the exemptive relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14. Such legend will also require each holder of a Exchange Capital Security (or any interest therein) to deliver to the transferee of such Exchange Capital Security (or interest therein) notice of such restriction. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties imposed upon persons involved in prohibited transactions, it is important that any person considering the purchase of Exchange Capital Securities (or interest therein) with Plan assets consult with its counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Code of the acquisition and ownership of Exchange Capital Securities (or interest therein) and the availability of exemptive relief under the class exemptions listed above. In John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Harris Trust and Savings Bank, 114 S.Ct. 517 (1993), the Supreme Court ruled that assets held in an insurance company's general account may be deemed to be "plan assets" for ERISA purposes under certain circumstances. Employee benefit plans which are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) generally are not subject to ERISA's requirements. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Capital Securities for its own account in connection with the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by Participating Broker-Dealers during the period referred to below in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities if such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such Exchange Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described herein) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. However, a Participating BrokerDealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company or the Trust, or cause the Company or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent." See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of Exchange Capital Securities." The Company or the Trust will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Capital Securities offered hereby. Exchange Capital Securities received by broker-dealers for their own accounts in connection with the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Capital Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such Exchange Capital Securities. 59 70 Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Capital Securities that were received by it for its own account in connection with the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Capital Securities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Capital Securities and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the Exchange Guarantee and the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures will be passed upon for the Company and the Trust by Baker & McKenzie, New York, New York. Certain matters relating to United States federal income tax considerations will be passed upon for the Company and the Trust by Baker & McKenzie, New York, New York. Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Exchange Capital Securities will be passed upon for the Company by Potter Anderson & Corroon, Wilmington, Delaware. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the reports of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 60 71 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law")authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of directors' fiduciary duty of care. Article IV of the Company's By-laws requires indemnification of the Company's directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law and provides for the advancement of defense expenses provided the director or officer agrees to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification. Article IV also provides that the indemnification provided by the By-laws is not exclusive. Section 145(a) of the Delaware Law provides in general that a corporation may indemnify anyone who is or may be a party to a legal proceeding by reason of his service as a director or officer against expenses, judgments, fines and settlement payments actually and reasonably incurred 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, as to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145(b) of the Delaware Law provides similarly where the proceeding is by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Section 145(g) of the Delaware Law allows a corporation to maintain insurance on behalf of any officer or director against any liability incurred by him in such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under law. The Company maintains such directors and officers liability insurance in an amount aggregating $20 million. Each of the Company's directors has entered into a supplementary indemnity agreement with the Company which (i) confirms the indemnity set forth in the By-laws and gives assurances that such indemnity will continue to be provided despite any By-law changes and (ii) provides, subject to certain conditions, that the director shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law against all expenses, fines and settlement amounts incurred or paid by him in any proceeding. As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware Law, Article 12 of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation eliminates personal liability of any director to the Company and its stockholders for breach of the director's fiduciary duty of care, except where the director has breached his duty of loyalty, acted in bad faith, engaged in intentional or knowing misconduct, negligently or willfully declared an improper dividend or effected an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or obtained an improper personal benefit. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company 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 Company 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. II-1 72 ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES EXHIBIT 4.1 Indenture of Trenwick Group Inc. relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures 4.2 Form of Certificate of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1) 4.3 Certificate of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.4 Declaration of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.5 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.6 Form of Exchange Capital Security Certificate for Trenwick Capital Trust I (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5) 4.7 Form of Trenwick Group Inc. Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement 4.8 Registration Rights Agreement 5.1 Opinion of Baker & McKenzie to Trenwick Group Inc. as to legality of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee to be issued by Trenwick Group Inc. 5.2 Opinion of Potter Anderson & Corroon, special Delaware counsel, as to legality of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued by Trenwick Capital Trust I 8 Opinion of Baker & McKenzie, special tax counsel, as to certain federal income tax matters 12.1 Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges 23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP 23.2 Consent of Baker & McKenzie (included in Exhibit 5.1) 23.3 Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon (included in Exhibit 5.2) 23.4 Consent of Baker & McKenzie (included in Exhibit 8) 24 Power of Attorney of certain directors of Trenwick Group Inc. 25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under the Indenture 25.2 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank under the Exchange Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Exchange Capital Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I 99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal 99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery 99.3 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS The undersigned registrants hereby undertake: (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-effetive amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; II-2 73 (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 relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), each filing of Trenwick Group Inc.'s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("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 this 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 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have 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 registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of the registrants 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 registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by the 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. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired or involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective. II-3 74 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Trenwick Group Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford and State of Connecticut, on the 6th day of June, 1997. TRENWICK GROUP INC. By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. ------------------------------------ James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- -------------- /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. Chairman, President, Director and June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer James F. Billett, Jr. /s/ ALAN L. HUNTE Executive Vice President, June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer, Alan L. Hunte Director and Treasurer * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ W. Marston Becker * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Anthony S. Brown * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Neil Dunn * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ P. Anthony Jacobs * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Herbert Palmberger * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Joseph D. Sargent * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Frederick D. Watkins * Director June 6, 1997 - ------------------------------------------ Stephen R. Wilcox *By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. - ------------------------------------------ James F. Billett, Jr. Attorney-in-fact
II-4 75 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act Trenwick Capital Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford, and State of Connecticut, on the 6th day of June, 1997. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. ------------------------------------ James F. Billett, Jr. By: /s/ ALAN L. HUNTE ------------------------------------ Alan L. Hunte By: /s/ JANE T. WIZNITZER ------------------------------------ Jane T. Wiznitzer II-5 76 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION -------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.1 Indenture of Trenwick Group Inc. relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures 4.2 Form of Certificate of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1) 4.3 Certificate of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.4 Declaration of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.5 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for Trenwick Capital Trust I 4.6 Form of Exchange Capital Security Certificate for Trenwick Capital Trust I (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5) 4.7 Form of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement of Trenwick Group Inc. 4.8 Registration Rights Agreement 5.1 Opinion of Baker & McKenzie to Trenwick Group Inc. as to legality of the Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee to be issued by Trenwick Group Inc. 5.2 Opinion of Potter Anderson & Corroon, special Delaware counsel, as to legality of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued by Trenwick Capital Trust I 8 Opinion of Baker & McKenzie, special tax counsel, as to certain federal income tax matters 12.1 Computation of ratios of consolidated earnings to fixed charges 23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP 23.2 Consent of Baker & McKenzie (included in Exhibit 5.1) 23.3 Consent of Potter Anderson & Corroon (included in Exhibit 5.2) 23.4 Consent of Baker & McKenzie (included in Exhibit 8) 24 Power of Attorney of certain directors of Trenwick Group Inc. 25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under the Indenture 25.2 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I 25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank under the Exchange Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Exchange Capital Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I 99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal 99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery 99.3 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
E-1 EX-4.1 2 FORM OF INDENTURE 1 Exhibit 4.1 ================================================================================ ----------- INDENTURE Dated as of January 31, 1997 between TRENWICK GROUP INC. and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee ----------- $113,403,000 8.82% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES ================================================================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS................................................................... 1 SECTION 1.01. Definitions........................................................ 1 ARTICLE II. SECURITIES.................................................................... 11 SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally.................................................... 11 SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication....................................... 11 SECTION 2.03. Form and Payment................................................... 11 SECTION 2.04. Legends............................................................ 12 SECTION 2.05. Global Security.................................................... 12 SECTION 2.06. Interest........................................................... 13 SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.............................................. 14 SECTION 2.08. Replacement Securities............................................. 15 SECTION 2.09. Treasury Securities................................................ 16 SECTION 2.10. Temporary Securities............................................... 16 SECTION 2.11. Cancellation....................................................... 16 SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest................................................. 17 SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers...................................................... 17 ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY........................................... 18 SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest......................... 18 SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.............................. 18 SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office................. 18 SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent....................................... 19 SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee............................................. 19 SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions........................... 20 SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Dividends............................................ 20 SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to Trenwick Capital Trust I........................... 21 SECTION 3.09. Payment of Expenses................................................ 21 SECTION 3.10. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal................................ 21 ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE....................................................... 22 SECTION 4.01. Securityholders' Lists............................................. 22 SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists............................... 22 SECTION 4.03. Reports of the Company............................................. 23 SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee............................................. 24
i 3
Page ---- ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT........................................................... 24 SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.................................................. 24 SECTION 5.02. Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor.................... 26 SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee......................... 28 SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders..................................... 28 SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee............................................. 29 SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing................................. 29 SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders......................... 30 SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults................................................. 30 SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs........................................... 31 SECTION 5.10 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws................................... 31 SECTION 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver....................................... 31 ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE........................................................ 32 SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee............................. 32 SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc............................... 33 SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc................................ 34 SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Securities.................... 34 SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust......................................... 34 SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee............................... 35 SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence.................................. 35 SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee.................................... 36 SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee............................................. 36 SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.................................. 36 SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee.................................... 37 SECTION 6.12. Succession by Merger, etc.......................................... 38 SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor...................... 38 SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents.............................................. 38 ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS................................................ 39 SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders.......................................... 39 SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders.............................. 40 SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners..................................... 40 SECTION 7.04. Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding........................................................ 40 SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound....................... 41 ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS..................................................... 41 SECTION 8.01. Purpose of Meetings................................................ 41
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Page ---- SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee........................................ 42 SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders..................... 42 SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting.......................................... 42 SECTION 8.05. Regulations........................................................ 42 SECTION 8.06. Voting............................................................. 44 ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS.................................................................... 44 SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Securityholders................................. 44 SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Securityholders.................................... 45 SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act of 1939; Effect of Supplemental Indentures............................................ 46 SECTION 9.04. Notation on Securities............................................. 47 SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee.................. 47 ARTICLE X. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE......................................................................... 47 SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.................... 47 SECTION 10.02. Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company................ 48 SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee............................. 48 ARTICLE XI. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE....................................... 48 SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture............................................. 48 SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust by Trustee......................... 49 SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held.................................. 49 SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys......................................... 49 SECTION 11.05. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations............................................. 50 SECTION 11.06. Reinstatement...................................................... 51 ARTICLE XII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS........................................................ 51 SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.............. 51 ARTICLE XIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...................................................... 52 SECTION 13.01. Successors......................................................... 52 SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation............................. 52 SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers........................................ 52 SECTION 13.04. Address for Notices, etc........................................... 52 SECTION 13.05. Governing Law...................................................... 52
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Page ---- SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent................... 52 SECTION 13.07. Business Days...................................................... 53 SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to Control............................. 53 SECTION 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc................................... 53 SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts.......................................... 53 SECTION 13.11. Separability....................................................... 53 SECTION 13.12. Assignment......................................................... 54 SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgment of Rights........................................... 54 ARTICLE XIV. CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO SHORTEN MATURITY; PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES -- NO SINKING FUND................................... 54 SECTION 14.01. Special Event Prepayment........................................... 54 SECTION 14.02. Optional Prepayment by Company..................................... 55 SECTION 14.03. No Sinking Fund.................................................... 55 SECTION 14.04. Notice of Prepayment; Selection of Securities...................... 55 SECTION 14.05. Payment of Securities Called for Prepayment........................ 56 SECTION 14.06. Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity.............................. 56 ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES................................................... 57 SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate........................................... 57 SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness..................................... 57 SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy............................... 58 SECTION 15.04. Subrogation........................................................ 59 SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination................................ 59 SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company.............................................. 59 SECTION 15.07. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.............. 61 SECTION 15.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.................................. 61 ARTICLE XVI. EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.......................................... 62 SECTION 16.01. Extension of Interest Payment Period............................... 62 SECTION 16.02. Notice of Extension................................................ 63 EXHIBIT A Form of Security; Trustee's Certificate of Authentication A-1
iv 6 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
SECTION OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED INDENTURE SECTION - ------------------- ----------------- 310(a)(1) ....................... 6.09 (a)(2) ....................... 6.09 310(a)(3) ....................... N/A (a)(4) ....................... N/A 310(a)(5) ....................... N/A 310(b) ....................... 6.10, 6.11 310(c) ....................... N/A 311(a) and (b) ....................... 6.13 311(c) ....................... N/A 312(a) ....................... 4.01, 4.02(a) 312(b) and (c) ....................... 4.02 313(a) ....................... 4.04 313(b)(1) ....................... 4.04 313(b)(2) ....................... 4.04 313(c) ....................... 4.04 313(d) ....................... 4.04 314(a) ....................... 4.03 314(b) ....................... N/A 314(c)(1) and (2) ....................... 6.07 314(c)(3) ....................... N/A 314(d) ....................... N/A 314(e) ....................... 6.07 314(f) ....................... N/A 315(a)(c) and (d) ....................... 6.01 315(b) ....................... 5.08 315(e) ....................... 5.09 316(a)(1) ....................... 5.07 316(a)(2) ....................... N/A 316(a) last sentence ....................... 2.09 316(b) ....................... 9.02 317(a) ....................... 5.05 317(b) ....................... 6.05 318(a) ....................... 13.08
- ------------------ * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture as executed and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. v 7 THIS INDENTURE, dated as of January 31, 1997, between Trenwick Group Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter sometimes called the "Company"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter sometimes called the "Trustee"). W I T N E S S E T H : In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Securities (as defined herein) by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities, as follows: ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (as defined below) or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (as defined below), shall (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture as originally executed. The following terms have the meanings given to them in the Declaration: (i) Clearing Agency; (ii) Delaware Trustee; (iii) Property Trustee; (iv) Administrative Trustees; (v) Direct Action; (vi) Purchase Agreement and (vii) Initial Purchaser. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term "generally accepted accounting principles" means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. Headings are used for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretation. The singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. "Additional Sums" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(c). "Adjusted Treasury Rate" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury 8 Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such prepayment date plus (i) 1.25% if such prepayment date occurs on or prior to February 1, 1998 and (ii) 0.50% in all other cases. "Adverse Tax Consequence" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Tax Event. "Affiliate" shall have the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.14. "Bankruptcy Law" shall mean Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. "Board of Directors" shall mean either the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors. "Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. "Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close. "Capital Securities" shall mean Subordinated Capital Income Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of Trenwick Capital Trust I which rank pari passu with the Common Securities issued by Trenwick Capital Trust I; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, prepayment or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation, prepayment and other payments to which they are entitled. References to "Capital Securities" shall include collectively any Initial Capital Securities and Exchange Capital Securities. "Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the Company may enter into with Trenwick Capital Trust I or other Persons, as such guarantee may be modified, amended or supplemented from time to time, that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I and shall include an Initial Capital Securities Guarantee and an Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee with respect to the Initial Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities, respectively. "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time. 2 9 "Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the assets of Trenwick Capital Trust I which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by Trenwick Capital Trust I; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, prepayment or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation, prepayment and other payments to which they are entitled. "Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the Company may enter into with any Person or Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Common Securities, as such guarantee may be modified, amended or supplemented from time to time. "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company or any other class of stock resulting from changes or reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value. "Company" shall mean Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall include its successors and assigns. "Company Request" or "Company Order" shall mean a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. "Comparable Treasury Issue" shall mean the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life. "Comparable Treasury Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01, (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such prepayment date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations. "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01. "Conditional Tax Redemption Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.06. 3 10 "Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law. "Declaration" shall mean the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I, dated as of January 31, 1997, among the Trustees (as defined therein) and the Company, as Sponsor, as such Declaration may be modified, amended or supplemented from time to time. "Default" shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default. "Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01. "Definitive Securities" shall mean those Securities issued in fully registered certificated form but not Securities issued in global form. "Depositary" shall mean, with respect to Securities of any series, for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to Section 2.05(d). "Dissolution Event" shall mean the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to the Declaration, and the distribution of the Securities held by the Property Trustee to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata in accordance with the Declaration. "Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.01, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "Exchange Capital Securities" shall mean 8.82% Capital Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per security) of Trenwick Capital Trust I, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer (including any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)). "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean the Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer (including any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)). "Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer that may be made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Company to exchange Exchange Securities for Initial Securities and to exchange an Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for an Initial Capital Securities Guarantee and (ii) by Trenwick Capital Trust I to exchange Exchange Capital Securities for Initial Capital Securities. "Exchange Securities" shall mean the Company's 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer 4 11 (including any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)), as authenticated and issued under this Indenture. "Extension Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01. "Global Securities" shall mean those Securities issued in global form, and "Global Security" shall mean the Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. "Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments. "Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be modified, amended or supplemented by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provision hereof including, for all purposes of this instrument and any supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. "Initial Capital Securities" shall mean 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per security) of Trenwick Capital Trust, as initially issued under the Declaration. "Initial Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean the Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee. "Initial Securities" shall mean the Company's 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037, as initially authenticated and issued under this Indenture. "Investment Company Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. "Investment Company Event" shall mean that the Company shall have received an opinion of an independent counsel experienced in practice under the Investment Company Act, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in Investment Company Act Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that Trenwick Capital Trust I is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in Investment Company Act Law becomes effective on or after January 31, 1997. "Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06. 5 12 "Non Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.05. "Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. "Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President, and (ii) the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee, which certificate shall comply with the provisions of Section 13.06 hereof. "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, which opinion shall comply with the provisions of Section 13.06 hereof. "Optional Prepayment Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.02. "Other Debentures" shall mean only those junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company from time to time and sold to trusts to be established by the Company (if any), which are in each case similar to Trenwick Capital Trust I. "Other Guarantees" shall mean all guarantees to be issued by the Company with respect to capital securities (if any) and issued to other trusts, or to any trustee of such trusts or other entities affiliated with the Company that are financing vehicles of the Company. The term "outstanding" when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or prepayment of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, that, if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be prepaid prior to maturity thereof, notice of such prepayment shall have been given as in Article XIV provided or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.08 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Securities are held by bona fide holders in due course. 6 13 "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security shall mean every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security. "Prepayment Price" shall mean the Optional Prepayment Price or the Special Event Prepayment Price, as the context requires. The term "principal office of the Trustee", or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered and which office is, at the time of execution of this Indenture, located at 450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001. "Property Trustee" shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Declaration. "Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated January 28, 1997 among the Company, Trenwick Capital Trust I and the Initial Purchaser as defined therein. "Quotation Agent" shall mean the Reference Treasury Dealer. "Reference Treasury Dealer" shall mean (i) Lehman Brothers Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, or (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Trustee after consultation with the Company. "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" shall mean, with respect to each Quotation Agent and any prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted to the Trustee by such Quotation Agent at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date. "Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997, by and among the Company, Trenwick Capital Trust I and the Initial Purchaser, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. "Regular Record Date" with respect to the payment of interest installments on the Securities, shall mean the fifteenth day preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date. If a Regular Record Date is not a Business Day, such Regular Record Date shall be deemed to be the next preceding Business Day. 7 14 "Remaining Life" shall mean the period from the prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01 to the Stated Maturity. "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Restricted Security" shall mean Securities that bear or are required to bear the legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto. "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or under any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. "Securities" shall mean, collectively, the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities. "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Securityholder", "holder of Securities", or other similar terms, shall mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular Security is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof. "Security Register" shall mean (i) prior to a Dissolution Event, the list of holders kept by a Securities registrar or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, as the case may be and (ii) following a Dissolution Event, any security register maintained by a security registrar for the securities appointed by the Company following the execution of a supplemental indenture providing for transfer procedures as provided for in Section 2.07(a). "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) Indebtedness for Money Borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company, (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company, (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any conditional sale or title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations, contingent or otherwise of the Company in respect of any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facilities or similar credit transaction, (v) all obligations in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements, (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (2) any indebtedness between or among the Company or its affiliates, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities issued to (a) any 8 15 other trust affiliated with the Company and similar to Trenwick Capital Trust I or a trustee of such trust and (b) any other trust, or of a trustee of such trust, or of a partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing vehicle of the Company (a "financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such a financing entity of preferred securities or other securities that rank pari passu with, or junior to, the Capital Securities. Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness. "Special Event" shall mean either an Investment Company Event or a Conditional Tax Redemption Event, as the case may be. "Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment of the Securities pursuant to Section 14.01 hereof, an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to February 1, 2007, the first day on which any Security is subject to optional prepayment, discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, and Additional Sums, if any, to the date of such prepayment. "Stated Maturity" shall mean February 1, 2037, or such other date to which the maturity of the Securities is changed pursuant to the right of the Company to shorten the stated maturity pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.06. "Subsidiary" shall mean with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency. "Tax Event" shall mean the receipt by Trenwick Capital Trust I and the Company of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after January 31, 1997, or, as a result of a final determination, as evidenced by the execution of a Form 870 AD, arising from an audit or examination by the Internal Revenue Service, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) Trenwick Capital Trust I is, or will be within 90 days of the date of 9 16 such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (iii) Trenwick Capital Trust I is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence"). "Tax Event Maturity Shortening" shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.06. "Trenwick Capital Trust I" or "Trust" shall mean Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Declaration), (iii) using the proceeds from the sale of Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iv) making Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) to holders of the Trust Securities as provided in the Declaration and (v) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). "Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Trustee" in the first paragraph hereof, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder. The term "Trustee" as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series. "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 9.03; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended. "Trust Securities" shall mean the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, collectively. "U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean securities that 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, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or prepayable 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 or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt. 10 17 ARTICLE II. SECURITIES SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. SECTION 2.02. 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. The signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. The form of Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order and such other documents as may be required by Section 13.06, authenticate for original issue up to, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any time may not exceed, one hundred thirteen million four hundred three thousand U.S. dollars ($113,403,000) aggregate principal amount of the Securities; except as provided in Sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.10 and 14.05 hereof. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which such Securities are to be authenticated. The series of Securities to be initially issued hereunder shall be the Initial Securities. 11 18 SECTION 2.03. Form and Payment. Except as provided in Section 2.05, the Securities shall be issued in fully registered certificated form without interest coupons. Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities issued in certificated form will be payable, the transfer of such Securities will be registrable and such Securities will be exchangeable for Securities bearing identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose under Section 3.02; provided, however, that payment of interest with respect to Securities may be made at the option of the Company (i) by check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto, provided, that proper transfer instructions have been received in writing by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of any Securities is the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any) and any Additional Sums on such Securities held by the Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property Trustee. SECTION 2.04. Legends. (a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.04 or as otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law, each Security shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the securities laws in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto. (b) The Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate Exchange Securities in exchange for Initial Securities accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Exchange Securities shall not bear the legends required by subsection (a) above, in each case unless the Trustee is notified in writing that the holder of such Initial Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Securities directly from the Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person participating in the distribution of the Initial Securities or (C) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company or unless the Registration Rights Agreement shall require otherwise. SECTION 2.05. Global Security. (a) In connection with a Dissolution Event, (i) if any Capital Securities are held in book-entry form, the global securities representing such Capital Securities shall be presented to the Trustee (if an arrangement with the Depositary has been maintained) by the Property Trustee in exchange for one or more Global Securities (as may be required pursuant to Section 2.07) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all such outstanding Securities, to be registered in the name of the Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary for crediting to the accounts of its participants pursuant to the instructions of the Administrative Trustees; the Company upon any such presentation shall execute one or more Global Securities in such aggregate principal amount and deliver the same, together with a Company Order, 12 19 to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with this Indenture; and payments on the Securities issued as a Global Security will be made to the Depositary; and (ii) if any Capital Securities are held in certificated form, the related Definitive Securities may be presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee and any Capital Security certificate which represents Capital Securities other than Capital Securities in book-entry form ("Non Book-Entry Capital Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in Securities presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry Capital Securities until such Capital Security certificates are presented to the Security registrar for registration of transfer or reissuance, at which time such Capital Security certificates will be cancelled and a Security, registered in the name of the holder of the Capital Security certificate, with an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Security certificate cancelled, will be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with this Indenture. Upon the issuance of such Securities, Securities with an equivalent aggregate principal amount that were presented by the Property Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed to have been cancelled. (b) The Global Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon; provided, that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and prepayments. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, in accordance with applicable procedures established by the Depositary. (c) The Global Securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary. (d) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon written notice from the Company, will authenticate and make available for delivery Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security. If there is an Event of Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange the Global Securities for Definitive Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security. In the event of such an Event of Default or such a determination, the Company shall execute, and subject to Section 2.07, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and make available for delivery Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such 13 20 Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Such Definitive Securities issued in exchange for the Global Security shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Definitive Securities are so registered. SECTION 2.06. Interest. (a) Each Security will bear interest at the rate of 8.82% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from January 31, 1997, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded semi-annually, payable (subject to the provisions of Article XVI) semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") commencing on August 1, 1997, to the Person in whose name such Security or any predecessor Security is registered on the books of the Company, at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest installment. (b) Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than six months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. In the event that any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date. (c) During such time as the Property Trustee is the holder of any Securities, the Company shall pay any additional amounts on the Securities as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by Trenwick Capital Trust I on the outstanding Trust Securities shall not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event ("Additional Sums"). SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer Restrictions. The Initial Securities, and those Exchange Securities with respect to which any Person described in Section 2.04(b)(A), (B) or (C) is the beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in compliance with any legend contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law. Upon any distribution of the Securities following a Dissolution Event, the Company and the Trustee shall enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 to provide for the transfer restrictions and procedures with respect to the Securities substantially similar to those contained in the Declaration to the extent applicable in the circumstances existing at such time. (b) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute Definitive Securities and Global Securities at the Trustee's request. All Definitive Securities and Global Securities 14 21 issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities or Global Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive Securities or Global Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 30 days before the day of mailing of a notice of prepayment or any notice of selection of Securities for prepayment under Article XIV hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for prepayment in whole or in part, except the unprepaid portion of any Security being prepaid in part. Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Security, the Trustee, any agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities, and neither the Trustee, any agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary. (c) Exchange of Initial Securities for Exchange Securities. The Initial Securities may be exchanged for Exchange Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer. The Trustee shall make the exchange as follows: The Company shall present the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate certifying the following: (i) upon issuance of the Exchange Securities, the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer have been consummated; and (ii) the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global Security and the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by Definitive Securities, the name of each holder of such Definitive Securities, the principal amount at maturity properly tendered in the Exchange Offer by each such holder and the name and address to which Definitive Securities for Exchange Securities shall be registered and sent for each such holder. The Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers' Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Securities have been registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture, the Declaration and the Capital Securities Guarantee have each been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(p) of the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) a Company Order, shall authenticate (A) a Global Security for Exchange Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities represented by a Global Security indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been properly tendered and (B) Definitive Securities representing Exchange Securities registered in the names of, and in the principal amounts indicated in, such Officers' Certificate. 15 22 If the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Global Security for the Exchange Securities is less than the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Global Security for the Initial Securities, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on such Global Security for the Initial Securities indicating a reduction in the principal amount at maturity represented thereby. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities for Exchange Securities to the holders thereof as indicated in such Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.08. Replacement Securities. (a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, or the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Trustee's requirements for replacements of Securities are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Securityholder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company or the Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security. (b) Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Securities duly issued hereunder. (c) The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities. SECTION 2.09. Treasury Securities. In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities that the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so considered. SECTION 2.10. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. 16 23 If temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause Definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. The Definitive Securities shall be printed, typewritten, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any combination thereof, or in any other manner permitted by the rules and regulations of any applicable securities exchange, all as determined by the Officers executing such Definitive Securities. After the preparation of Definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.02 hereof, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange therefor the same aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities. SECTION 2.11. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy the cancelled Securities in accordance with its normal practices (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) unless the Company directs that such cancelled Securities be returned to it. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been prepaid or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below: (a) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and 17 24 the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable pursuant to the following clause (b). (b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. SECTION 2.13. 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 prepayment as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a prepayment and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such prepayment shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers. ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Securityholders that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein. Except as provided in Section 2.03, each installment of interest on the Securities may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the Securityholder entitled thereto, as it may appear in the Securities register. The Company further covenants to pay any and all amounts including, without limitation, Additional Interest, if any, on the dates and in the manner required under the Registration Rights Agreement. SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities remains outstanding, the Company will maintain in The City of New York, New York, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this 18 25 Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, any such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10001, Attention: Global Trust Services. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in The City of New York, New York, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee. In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside The City of New York, New York where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in the City of New York, New York, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof. SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder. SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.04, (i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities; (ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it as such paying agent. (b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to 19 26 pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable. (c) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such Securities by the Trustee or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained. (d) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.04 is subject to Sections 11.03 and 11.04. SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year in each year, commencing with the first fiscal year ending after the date hereof, so long as Securities are outstanding hereunder, an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company, stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such Default and, if so, specifying each such Default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof. SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Securities remains outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article X hereof are complied with. SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Dividends. If at any time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a) is or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default and (b) which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) Securities are held by the Property Trustee and the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right to extend the interest payment period pursuant to Section 16.01 and any such extension shall be continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock); 20 27 (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or prepay any debt securities of the Company (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities; or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Company (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans. SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to Trenwick Capital Trust I. In the event Securities are issued to Trenwick Capital Trust I or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by Trenwick Capital Trust I, for so long as any of such Trust Securities remains outstanding, the Company will (i) directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I; provided, however, that any successor of the Company, permitted pursuant to Article X, may succeed to the Company's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to cause Trenwick Capital Trust I (a) to remain a business trust, except in connection with a distribution of Securities, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, and (b) to continue to be treated as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, and (iii) use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an individual beneficial interest in the Securities. SECTION 3.09. Payment of Expenses. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities to Trenwick Capital Trust I and in connection with the sale of the Trust Securities by Trenwick Capital Trust I, the Company, in its capacity as borrower with respect to the Securities, shall: (a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities, including commissions to the Initial Purchaser payable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, fees and expenses in connection with the Exchange Offer or other 21 28 action to be taken pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and compensation of the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.06; (b) pay all costs and expenses of Trenwick Capital Trust I (including, but not limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of Trenwick Capital Trust I, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities (including commissions to the Initial Purchaser in connection therewith), the fees and expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of Trenwick Capital Trust I; (c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification obligations arising with respect to the Declaration; (d) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes attributable to Trenwick Capital Trust I or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of Trenwick Capital Trust I; and (e) pay all other fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than payments of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Trust Securities) related to Trenwick Capital Trust I. SECTION 3.10. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal. Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of the Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all amounts accrued and owing to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. Upon termination of the Declaration or the removal or resignation of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Declaration, the Company shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be, all amounts accrued and owing to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.01. Securityholders' Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee: (a) on a semi-annual basis on each Regular Record Date for the Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders as of such record date; (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 Business Days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar 22 29 form and content as of a date not more than 15 Business Days prior to the time such list is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Security registrar. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Securities registrar. SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Securities registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. (b) In case three or more holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Securities or with holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either: (i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02; or (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of all Securities whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application. If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within 5 Business Days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the holders of all Securities or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such 23 30 objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application. (c) Each and every holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b). SECTION 4.03. Reports of the Company. (a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15 Business Days after the date on which the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations. (b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations. (c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all holders of Securities, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission. (d) 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 Officers' Certificates). 24 31 (e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Securities to qualify for an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Company shall, upon request, provide the information required by clause (d)(4) thereunder to each Holder and to each beneficial owner and prospective purchaser of Securities identified by any holder of Restricted Securities, unless such information is furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee. Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1997, the Trustee shall provide to the holders of the Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT SECTION 5.01. Events of Default. One or more of the following events of default shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body): (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security or any Other Debentures when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms hereof or, in the case of any Other Debenture, the indenture related thereto, shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or (b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security or any Other Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon prepayment, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise; or (c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or 25 32 (d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or all or substantially all of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (e) the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or all or substantially all of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may declare the principal amount of all Securities to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the holders of the outstanding Securities), and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable, provided, however, that if an Event of Default specified in any one of paragraphs (d) or (e) of this Section 5.01 occurs, all unpaid principal and accrued interest on the Securities at the time outstanding shall become due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder of the Securities. The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Securities shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities and the principal of and premium, if any, on any and all Securities which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities to the date of such payment or deposit) and (B) such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under the Indenture shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then, in every such case, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon. 26 33 In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken. SECTION 5.02. Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the Securities as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Securities or upon prepayment or by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Securities are held by Trenwick Capital Trust I or a trustee of such trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by Trenwick Capital Trust I or a trustee in respect thereof) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or bad faith. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Securities wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable. In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Securities under Title 11, United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be 27 34 necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding. All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities. In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings. SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06, including the costs and expenses of collection applicable to the Securities and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other expenses and 28 35 liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith; Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV; Third: In case the principal of the outstanding Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference of priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and Fourth: To the Company. SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders. No holder of any Security shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for 90 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and during such 90 days the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding do not give a direction to the Trustee inconsistent with the request, it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities 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 holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on such Security, on or after the same shall have become due and payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this 29 36 Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity. The Company and the Trustee acknowledge that pursuant to the Declaration, the holders of Capital Securities are entitled, in the circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth therein, to commence a Direct Action with respect to any Event of Default under this Indenture and the Securities. Without the consent of each holder of Capital Securities then outstanding, the Company shall not take any action that impairs or affects the right of holders of Capital Securities to bring a Direct Action. SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law. SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.08, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the Securities, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.04, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders. SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or 30 37 trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers, shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the Stated Maturity of the Securities, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a Default (a) in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Security affected; provided, however, that if the Securities are held by the Property Trustee, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the Default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing. SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a Default with respect to the Securities mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Security register, notice of all Defaults known to the Trustee, unless such Defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "Defaults" for the purpose of this Section 5.08 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 5.01, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein, and irrespective of the giving of written notice specified in clause (c) of Section 5.01); and provided, that, except in the case of Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors of the Trustee, the executive committee thereof, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders; and provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.01(c), no such notice to Securityholders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof but shall be given within 90 days after such occurrence. SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall not 31 38 apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities outstanding at the time outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable. SECTION 5.10 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted. SECTION 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Securityholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders, as the case may be. ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of the Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred: 32 39 (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.07, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture. None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it. Every portion of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article VI and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01: (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties, and the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document; (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) and the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith in reliance on 33 40 such Officers' Certificate; and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby; (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs; (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding; and (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care. (h) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except (i) a Default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of this Indenture (other than with respect to the payment of Additional Interest) or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or the Trustee shall have received notice thereof in accordance with Section 13.03 hereof from the Company or any Securityholder. SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. 34 41 The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities or the proceeds of any Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture. SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Security registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Security registrar. SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company. 35 42 SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including reasonable attorney's fees and taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee in its capacity as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee as provided for herein are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law. The provisions of this Section shall survive resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture. SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof. 36 43 SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10. SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof to the holders of the Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee. (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur: (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months, or 37 44 (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee. (c) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within 10 days after such nomination the Company objects thereto or if no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted appointment within 30 days after such removal, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.11. SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or 38 45 collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06. No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.09. Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.11, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company. SECTION 6.12. Succession by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which the Securities or this Indenture elsewhere provides that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation. SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to the extent included therein. SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Securities issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Securities; provided, that the Trustee shall 39 46 have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Securities. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.14 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section. Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.14 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent. Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.14, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.14, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all Securityholders as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein. The Company, as borrower, agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee. 40 47 ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders. If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date. SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the Security registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary. The record of any Securityholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.06. SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. 41 48 Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Security registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the Security Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and, subject to Section 2.06, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Security registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security. SECTION 7.04. Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities at the time outstanding have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to vote such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security (or any Security issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the principal office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Security). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security or any Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor. 42 49 ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS SECTION 8.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes: (a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V; (b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI; (c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or (d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified principal amount of such Securities at the time outstanding under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law. SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Securities Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting. SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02. SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting. 43 50 To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Securities or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel. SECTION 8.05. Regulations. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit. (b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting. (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting each holder of Securities or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice. (d) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of holders of Securities; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of holders of Securities, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.02, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior the date on which 44 51 the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities which shall constitute a quorum. (e) Except as limited by the first proviso to the first paragraph of Section 9.02 or any other provision hereof granting rights to holders of Capital Securities, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities; provided, however, that, except as limited by the first proviso to the first paragraph of Section 9.02 or any other provision hereof granting any rights to holders of Capital Securities, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities. (f) Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the holders of Securities whether or not present or represented at the meeting. SECTION 8.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Securities shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. The holders of the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities shall vote for all purposes as a single class. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated. 45 52 ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Securityholders. The Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend this Indenture, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes: (a) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article X hereof; (b) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the Securityholders as the Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Securityholders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition, such amendment may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default; (c) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in coupon form if allowed by law (including Securities registrable as to principal only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Securities with the Securities issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided, that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Securities; (e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities; (f) to make provision for transfer procedures, certification, book-entry provisions, the form of restricted securities legends, if any, to be placed on Securities, and all other matters required pursuant to Section 2.07 or otherwise necessary, desirable or appropriate in connection with the issuance of Securities to holders of Capital Securities in the event of a distribution of Securities by Trenwick Capital Trust I following a Dissolution Event; 46 53 (g) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; or (h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect. The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture to effect such amendment, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Any amendment to this Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02. SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Securityholders. (a) With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall without the consent of the holders of each Security then outstanding and affected hereby (i) extend the Stated Maturity of any Security, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except as contemplated by Article XVI), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce any amount payable on prepayment thereof, or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment to this Indenture; provided, however, that if the Securities are held by Trenwick Capital Trust I, such amendment shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such amendment; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security is required, such amendment shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such amendment. (b) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting such amendment, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture. 47 54 (c) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture. (d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act of 1939; Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes. SECTION 9.04. Notation on Securities. Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting such series pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. (a) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. (b) The Trustee may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof. 48 55 ARTICLE X. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, that (a) the Company is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of property is made is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (b) upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the Person which shall have acquired such property, and (c) after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. SECTION 10.02. Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company. In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the Company thereupon shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Securities. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of Trenwick Group Inc., any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Securities which such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Securities so 49 56 issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article X, complies with the provisions of this Article X. ARTICLE XI. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) and not theretofore cancelled, or (b) all the Securities not theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for prepayment within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of prepayment, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay on the Stated Maturity or upon prepayment all of the Securities (other than any Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) not theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to the Stated Maturity or prepayment date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.04, or (2) paid to any State or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, and if in either case the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.02, 2.07, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 hereof, which shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by any Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, to the effect that all conditions to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture, the Company, however, hereby agreeing to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities. 50 57 SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or 11.05 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Securities for the payment of which such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal (premium, if any) and interest. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 11.05 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of outstanding Securities. SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Securities (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys. SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on Securities and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Securities for two years after the date upon which the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on such Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Securities shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease. SECTION 11.05. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to the Securities on the 91st day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied with respect to the Securities: (a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee or the Defeasance Agent (as defined below) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Securities (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one Business Day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of 51 58 a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if any, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the outstanding Securities on the dates such installments of principal, premium or interest are due; (b) if the Securities are then listed on any national securities exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the exercise of the option under this Section 11.05 would not cause such Securities to be delisted from such exchange; (c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; and (d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the exercise of the option under this Section 11.05 and will be subject to United States federal income tax in the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised, and such opinion shall be accompanied by a private letter ruling to that effect received from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a revenue ruling pertaining to a comparable form of transaction to that effect published by the United States Internal Revenue Service. "Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Securities and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of holders of Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (1) above, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest on the Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities under Sections 2.07, 2.08, 5.02 and 11.04; and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder. "Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is eligible to act as Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the obligations of the Trustee necessary to enable the Trustee to act hereunder. In the event such a Defeasance Agent is appointed pursuant to this Section, the following conditions shall apply: (a) The Trustee shall have approval rights over the document appointing such Defeasance Agent and the document setting forth such Defeasance Agent's rights and responsibilities; and (b) The Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the Trustee acknowledging receipt of sufficient money and/or U.S. Government Obligations to meet the applicable conditions set forth in this Section 11.05. SECTION 11.06. Reinstatement. 52 59 If the Trustee or any Defeasance Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 11.05 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.05 until such time as the Trustee or any Defeasance Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 11.05. ARTICLE XII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person to the Company, either directly or through the Company, any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities. ARTICLE XIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 13.01. Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not. SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company. SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of two-thirds (2/3) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers 53 60 reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor Person. SECTION 13.04. Address for Notices, etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities on the Company may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, CT 06902, Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer, Vice President-Legal Affairs and Secretary. Any notice, direction, request or demand by any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001, Attention: Global Trust Services. SECTION 13.05. Governing Law. This Indenture and each Security shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with. Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with. SECTION 13.07. Business Days. In any case where the date of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities will not be a Business Day, the payment of such principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities need not be made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date of payment and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date. 54 61 SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control. SECTION 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof. SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. SECTION 13.11. Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities, but this Indenture and the Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein. SECTION 13.12. Assignment. The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided, that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto. SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgment of Rights. The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held by Trenwick Capital Trust I or a trustee of such trust, if the Property Trustee of such trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of the Securities held as the assets of Trenwick Capital Trust I, any holder of Capital Securities may institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Property Trustee's rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities when due, the Company acknowledges that a holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such 55 62 holder of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Securities. ARTICLE XIV. CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO SHORTEN MATURITY; PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES -- NO SINKING FUND SECTION 14.01. Special Event Prepayment. If a Special Event has occurred and is continuing, then the Company shall have the right, notwithstanding Section 14.02(a) but subject to Section 14.02(b), upon (i) not less than 45 days written notice to the Trustee and (ii) not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Securityholders, to prepay the Securities, in whole (but not in part), at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the Special Event Prepayment Price. Following a Special Event, if the Company elects to effect a prepayment, the Company shall take such action as is necessary promptly to determine the Special Event Prepayment Price, including without limitation the appointment by the Company of a Quotation Agent. The Special Event Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such prepayment or such earlier time as the Company determines, provided, that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Special Event Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such Special Event Prepayment Price is to be paid. SECTION 14.02. Optional Prepayment by Company. (a) Subject to the provisions of this Article XIV, the Company shall have the right to prepay the Securities, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after February 1, 2007, at the optional prepayment price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Securities to be prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any) and any Additional Sums to the applicable date of prepayment (the "Optional Prepayment Price"). If the Securities are only partially prepaid pursuant to this Section 14.02, the Securities to be prepaid will be chosen pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee; provided, that, as to Securities registered as a Global Security at the time of prepayment, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held by each beneficial owner of such Securities to be prepaid. The Optional Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Company determines, provided, that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Optional Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such Optional Prepayment Price is to be paid. (b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 14.02(a), upon the entry of an order for dissolution of Trenwick Capital Trust I by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Securities thereafter will be subject to optional prepayment, in whole only, but 56 63 not in part, on or after February 1, 2007, at the optional prepayment price set forth in Section 14.02(a) and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIV. SECTION 14.03. No Sinking Fund. The Securities are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. SECTION 14.04. Notice of Prepayment; Selection of Securities. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to prepay all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities in accordance with their terms, it shall fix a date for prepayment and shall mail a notice of such prepayment at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for prepayment to the holders of Securities so to be prepaid as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Security Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Security designated for prepayment as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the prepayment of any other Security. Each such notice of prepayment shall specify the CUSIP number of the Securities to be prepaid, the date fixed for prepayment, the prepayment price at which the Securities are to be prepaid (or the method by which such prepayment price is to be calculated), the place or places of payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for prepayment will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be prepaid will cease to accrue. If less than all the Securities are to be prepaid the notice of prepayment shall specify the numbers of the Securities to be prepaid. In case any Security is to be prepaid in part only, the notice of prepayment shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be prepaid and shall state that on and after the date fixed for prepayment, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unprepaid portion thereof will be issued. Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the prepayment date specified in the notice of prepayment given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to prepay on the prepayment date all the Securities so called for prepayment at the appropriate Prepayment Price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for prepayment. The Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 days prior to the prepayment date as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be prepaid and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Securities or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000, except as otherwise set forth in the applicable form of Security) to be prepaid. SECTION 14.05. Payment of Securities Called for Prepayment. If notice of prepayment has been given as provided in Section 14.04, the Securities or portions of Securities with respect to which such notice has been given shall 57 64 become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Prepayment Price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for prepayment (subject to the rights of holders of Securities on the close of business on a Regular Record Date in respect of an Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the prepayment date), and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the Prepayment Price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for prepayment shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and prepaid by the Company at the applicable Prepayment Price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for prepayment (subject to the rights of holders of Securities on the close of business on a Regular Record Date in respect of an Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the prepayment date). Upon presentation of any Security prepaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unprepaid portion of the Security so presented. SECTION 14.06. Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity. If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right, prior to the termination of the Trust, either (i) to shorten the Stated Maturity of the Securities to the minimum extent required, but not to a date earlier than 20 years from the date of original issuance of Securities under this Indenture, such that, in the written opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after shortening the Stated Maturity, interest paid on the Securities shall be deductible for federal income tax purposes (the action referred to above being referred to herein as a "Tax Event Maturity Shortening") or (ii) to prepay the Securities. The circumstances under which the Company has the right to prepay the Securities in connection with a Tax Event is referred to herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event" and, since a Conditional Tax Redemption Event is deemed to be a Special Event, the Securities shall then be subject to prepayment in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.01. ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities issued hereunder likewise covenants and agrees, that the Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions. The payment by the Company of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. 58 65 No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder. SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default, then, in any case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including prepayment) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities, then no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including prepayments) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities until the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such acceleration shall receive payment in full of all amounts due in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon acceleration). In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.02, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent of the amounts due in respect of such Senior Indebtedness and only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing, within 90 days of such payment, of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any 59 66 instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all amounts in respect of Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, and 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 amounts due in respect of such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. For purposes of this Article XV, the words "cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Securities to the payment of Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding, provided, that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article X of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.03 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, comply with the conditions stated in Article X of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.02 or in this Section 15.03 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture. SECTION 15.04. Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all amounts due in respect of Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and 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 such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior 60 67 Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the 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, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, 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 a Default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled conclusively to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV. SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder's acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder's behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or 61 68 holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 15.06 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled conclusively to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such 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 such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV. SECTION 15.07. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior 62 69 Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise. Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06. SECTION 15.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Securities to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person. ARTICLE XVI. EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD SECTION 16.01. Extension of Interest Payment Period. (a) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension period (as set forth in Section 16.02(c)) (the "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable, provided, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity. To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest, the payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section 16.01, will bear interest thereon at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually for each semi-annual period of the Extension Period ("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the Extension Period, the Company 63 70 shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Securities, including any Additional Sums and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred Interest") that shall be payable to the holders of the Securities in whose names the Securities are registered in the Security Register on the first record date immediately preceding the end of the Extension Period. (b) During any such Extension Period, the Company may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company (including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans). None of the Company's Subsidiaries will be prohibited from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or from making payments with respect to its debt securities. (c) Before the termination of any such Extension Period, and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may further defer payments of interest by further extending such period, provided, that such period, together with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company may elect to commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but the Company may prepay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued during an Extension Period. SECTION 16.02. Notice of Extension. (a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the Securities at the time the Company selects an Extension Period, the Company shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extension Period at least 5 Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding date on which distributions on the Trust Securities issued by Trenwick Capital Trust I are payable, or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record date, or the date such 64 71 Distributions are payable, to any national securities exchange or to holders of the Capital Securities issued by the Trust, but in any event at least 5 Business Days before such record date. (b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Securities at the time the Company selects an Extension Period, the Company shall give the holders of the Securities and the Trustee written notice of its selection of such Extension Period at least 10 Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the date the Company is required to give notice of the record or payment date of such interest payment to any national securities exchange. (c) The semi-annual period in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 16.02 shall be counted as one of the 10 semi-annual periods permitted in the maximum Extension Period permitted under Section 16.01. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. The Chase Manhattan Bank hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set forth. 65 72 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written. TRENWICK GROUP INC. By: /s/ James F. Billett, Jr. ----------------------------------- James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee By: /s/ G. McFarlane ----------------------------------- G. McFarlane Vice President 73 EXHIBIT A (FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY) [IF THE SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT: THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. UNLESS (A) THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND (B) ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1 74 No. ________ CUSIP No. ________ TRENWICK GROUP INC. 8.82% EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2037 Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ____________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________________________________U.S. dollars ($____________) on February 1, 2037 (the "Stated Maturity"), unless the Stated Maturity is shortened under certain circumstances described herein or this Debenture is previously prepaid, and to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount hereof from January 31, 1997, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 1997, at the rate of 8.82% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per annum compounded semi-annually. The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. In the event that any date on which the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on this Security is payable is not a Business Day, then payment payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest installment, which shall be the 15th day preceding the relevant interest payment date. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such Regular Record Date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as maybe required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by (i) check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled 2 75 thereto, provided, that proper written transfer instructions have been received by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Security is the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property Trustee. The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is unsecured and, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions. By its acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee. 3 76 The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to he executed. Dated: __________________ TRENWICK GROUP INC. By: _____________________________ Name: Title: Attest: By: _______________________________ Name: Title: 4 77 (FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION) CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee By: _____________________________ Authorized Officer 5 78 (FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY) This Security is one of the Securities of the Company (herein sometimes referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997 (the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company shall have the right to prepay this Security in whole (but not in part) at the Special Event Prepayment Price. "Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment of the Securities following a Special Event, an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to February 1, 2007, the first day on which this Security is subject to optional prepayment, discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, including Compounded Interest, Additional Interest and Additional Sums, if any, to the date of such prepayment. In addition, the Company shall have the right to prepay this Security, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 1, 2007 (an "Optional Prepayment"), at the Optional Prepayment Price equal to the principal amount of this Security plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the applicable date of prepayment. The Special Event Prepayment Price and the Optional Prepayment Price, as the case requires, shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Company determines, provided, that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the applicable Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such Prepayment Price is to be paid. Any prepayment pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice. If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Company pursuant to an Optional Prepayment, the Securities to be prepaid will be chosen by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee; provided, that, as to Securities registered as a Global Security at the time of prepayment, the Depositary shall determine the particular Securities to be prepaid in accordance with its procedures. In the event of prepayment of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the unprepaid portion hereof will be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right, prior to the termination of the Trust, either (i) to shorten the Stated Maturity of this Security to the minimum extent, but not to a date earlier than 20 years from the date of original issuance of 6 79 Securities under the Indenture, such that, in the written opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after shortening the Stated Maturity, interest paid on the Securities shall be deductible for federal income tax purposes or (ii) to prepay the Securities. In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture. The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected thereby, (i) extend the Stated Maturity of any Securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce any amount payable on prepayment thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the Indenture), or make the principal of, or interest or premium on, the Securities payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of all of the holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the Indenture, and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or a Default in respect of any covenant or provision under which the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued in exchange heretofore or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension period (an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable, provided, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Securities. At the end of the Extension Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid, together with deferred interest thereon at the rate specified for the Securities (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable 7 80 under applicable law). Before the termination of any such Extension Period, and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may further defer payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period, provided, that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Securities. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any additional amounts then due, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. The Company has agreed that, if at any time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Securities are held by Trenwick Capital Trust I, the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right to extend the interest payment period and any such extension shall be continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or prepay, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock) (which includes common and preferred stock); (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or prepay any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities; or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities or any Subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the Securities other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Company's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the exchange or conversion of such capital stock or the security being exchanged or converted, and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans. None of the Company's Subsidiaries will be prohibited from declaring and paying cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or from making payments with respect to its debt securities. 8 81 The Company will have the right at any time to dissolve Trenwick Capital Trust I and cause the Securities to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of Trenwick Capital Trust I, subject to the provisions of the Indenture requiring the receipt of certain legal opinions. The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000.00 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture, this Security is transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in the City and State of New York accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount and series will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation thereto. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the registrar may deem and treat the holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Security registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released. All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. 9 82 ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Security Certificate to: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ agent to transfer this Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her. Date: ___________________________ Signature: ______________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security Certificate) Signature Guarantee: ________________________ * Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 10 EX-4.3 3 CERTIFICATE OF TRUST 1 EXHIBIT 4.3 CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I This certificate of trust of Trenwick Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), dated as of January 21, 1997, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as Delaware trustee, to create a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801, et. seg.). 1. Name. The name of the business trust being created hereby is Trenwick Capital Trust I. 2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware are as follows: Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware 1201 Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801 3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of its filing. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Delaware trustee of the Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written. CHASE MANHATTAN BANK DELAWARE, Not in its individual capacity but solely as Delaware Trustee By /s/ John J. Cashin ------------------------------ Name: John J. Cashin Title: Senior Trust Officer STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 07:55 PM 01/21/1997 971020385-2708779 EX-4.4 4 DECLARATION OF TRUST 1 EXHIBIT 4.4 DECLARATION OF TRUST OF TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of January 21, 1997 by the Trustee (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein), and by the holders from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Sponsor desire to establish Trenwick Capital Trust I (the "Trust") pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act for the purpose of (a) selling Securities (as defined herein), (b) using the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to purchase debentures of the Sponsor, (c) making distributions to holders of the Securities, and (d) engaging only in activities necessary, advisable or incidental to any of the foregoing. NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust constitute a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust. ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1; (b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to this Declaration of Trust as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Declaration unless otherwise specified; and (e) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. 2 "Certificate of Trust" shall mean the certificate of trust to be filed pursuant to Section 3810 of the Delaware Business Trust Act. "Covered Person" means (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates and (b) any holder of Securities. "Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code 12 Del. Code [Section] 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3 hereof. "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature. "Security" means a security representing an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust having such rights and with terms as may be set out in this Declaration or in any amendment or restatement hereof. "Sponsor" means Trenwick Group Inc. in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue as a trustee in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustee shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder. ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION SECTION 2.1 Name. The Trust created by this Declaration is named "Trenwick Capital Trust I." The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Trustee. SECTION 2.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. At any time, the Sponsor may designate another principal office of the Trust. 2 3 SECTION 2.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) selling Securities, (b) using the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to purchase debentures of the Sponsor, (c) making distributions to holders of the Securities, and (d) engaging only in activities necessary, advisable or incidental to any of the foregoing. SECTION 2.4 Declaration and Authority. (a) The Trustee declares that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. The Sponsor hereby contributes the sum of $10 to be held by the Trustee hereunder and to which all other assets of the Trust, from time to time, shall be added. (b) Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration, the Sponsor shall have exclusive and complete authority to instruct the Trustee in carrying out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Trustee in accordance with such instructions shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustee to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustee as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 2.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. SECTION 2.6 Powers of the Trustee. The Sponsor shall have the exclusive power and authority to cause the Trustee to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell Securities in accordance with this Declaration; (b) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and provide for reasonable compensation for such services; (c) to incur expenses which are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration; and (d) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing. SECTION 2.7 Filing of Certificate of Trust. On the date of execution of this Declaration, the Trustee shall cause the filing of the Certificate of Trust for the Trust in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 3 4 SECTION 2.8 Duration of Trust. The Trust, absent termination pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2, shall have existence until January 21, 2042. SECTION 2.9 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. The Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to cause the Trustee to issue and sell the Securities, the terms of which shall be as adopted by resolution of the Sponsor. SECTION 2.10 Declaration Binding on Securities Holders. Every Person by virtue of having become a holder of a Security or any interest therein in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. ARTICLE III TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Trustee. The number of Trustees initially shall be one (1), and thereafter the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Sponsor and delivered to the Trustee. The Sponsor is entitled to appoint or remove without cause any Trustee at any time; provided, however, that one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware. SECTION 3.2 Trustee. The initial Trustee shall be: Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware 1201 Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801 (a) A Trustee may resign upon not less than 30 days written notice to the Sponsor, which resignation shall take effect upon the later of the date specified therein or the date on which a successor Trustee appointed by the Sponsor pursuant to Section 3.1 has accepted such appointment, provided, however, that such successor shall comply with the provisions of [Section] 3807 of the Delaware Business Trust Act. (b) A Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Trustee has power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 2.6. 4 5 SECTION 3.3 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR SUFFICIENCY OF DECLARATION. The recitals contained in this Declaration shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration. SECTION 3.4 COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEE. The Sponsor agrees: (a) to pay the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); (b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; (c) To the fullest extent possible the parties intend that Section 3561 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust and that compensation paid pursuant to Section 3.6(a) not be subject to review by any court under Section 3560 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code. ARTICLE IV LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEE OR OTHERS SECTION 4.1 EXCULPATION. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions; and (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as 5 6 to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 4.2 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity,an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person; (b) unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise; and (c) whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or 6 7 (ii) in its "good faith" or another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 4.3 Indemnification. The Sponsor agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Trustee, (ii) any Affiliate of any Trustee, (iii) any officer, director, shareholder, employee, representative or agent of any Trustee, and (iv) any employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates, (referred to herein as an "Indemnified Person") from and against any loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of the creation, operation or termination of the Trust or any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. SECTION 4.4 Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or opportunity. Any Covered Person and the Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for or may act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates. ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION, MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 5.1 Amendments. At any time before the issuance of any Securities, this Declaration may be extended or restated by, and only by, a written instrument executed by the Trustee and the Sponsor. SECTION 5.2 Termination of Trust. 7 8 (a) The Trust shall terminate and be of no further force or effect: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a Certificate of Dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor or the failure of the Sponsor to revive its Charter within ten (10) days following the revocation of the Sponsor's charter or of the Trust's Certificate of Trust; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Sponsor, or the Trust; (iv) before the issuance of any Securities, at the election of the Sponsor; and (v) upon the expiration of the period set forth in Section 2.8 hereof. (b) as soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 5.2(a), the Trustee shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. SECTION 5.3 GOVERNING LAW. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust. SECTION 5.4 HEADINGS. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof. SECTION 5.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustee shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed. SECTION 5.6 PARTIAL ENFORCEABILITY. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. SECTION 5.7 COUNTERPARTS. 8 9 This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each party to one of such counterpart signature pages. All such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 9 10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year above written. CHASE MANHATTAN BANK DELAWARE, Not in its individual capacity but solely as Delaware Trustee By: /s/ JOHN J. CASHIN ------------------------------------ Name: John J. Cashin Title: Senior Trust Officer TRENWICK GROUP INC., as Sponsor By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. ------------------------------------- Name: James F. Billett, Jr. Title: Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer 10 EX-4.5 5 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST 1 EXHIBIT 4.5 TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I ________________________________________ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST Dated as of January 31, 1997 ________________________________________ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS.................................................... 1 SECTION 1.1 Definitions.........................................................................1 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT.................................................................8 SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application....................................................8 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities......................................................9 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee.....................................................9 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Property Trustee................................................9 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent....................................9 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver...........................................................9 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice.......................................................... 11 ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION...................................................................... 11 SECTION 3.1 Name.............................................................................. 11 SECTION 3.2 Office............................................................................ 12 SECTION 3.3 Purpose........................................................................... 12 SECTION 3.4 Authority......................................................................... 12 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust.................................................... 12 SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees.................................. 12 SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.............................. 15 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee......................................... 16 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee....................... 18 SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee................................................ 19 SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee.................................................................. 21 SECTION 3.12 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............................ 22 SECTION 3.13 Duration of Trust................................................................. 22 SECTION 3.14 Mergers........................................................................... 22 ARTICLE IV SPONSOR........................................................................... 23 SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities........................................... 23 SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor................................................... 23 SECTION 4.3 Right to Proceed.................................................................. 24 ARTICLE V TRUSTEES.......................................................................... 24 SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee..................................... 24 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee.................................................................. 25 SECTION 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility..................................................... 25
i 3
Page ---- SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally................................................................. 26 SECTION 5.5 Administrative Trustees........................................................... 26 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee.................................................................. 27 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.................................. 27 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees.......................................................... 28 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies............................................................... 28 SECTION 5.10 Meetings.......................................................................... 29 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power............................................................... 29 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....................... 29 SECTION 5.13 Undertaking for Costs............................................................. 29 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS..................................................................... 30 SECTION 6.1 Distributions..................................................................... 30 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES............................................................ 30 SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities........................................... 30 SECTION 7.2 Execution and Authentication...................................................... 31 SECTION 7.3 Form and Dating................................................................... 31 SECTION 7.4 Registrar and Paying Agent........................................................ 33 SECTION 7.5 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust............................................... 33 SECTION 7.6 Replacement Securities............................................................ 34 SECTION 7.7 Outstanding Capital Securities.................................................... 34 SECTION 7.8 Capital Securities in Treasury.................................................... 34 SECTION 7.9 Temporary Securities.............................................................. 34 SECTION 7.10 Cancellation...................................................................... 35 SECTION 7.11 CUSIP Numbers..................................................................... 36 ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION OF TRUST.............................................................. 36 SECTION 8.1 Dissolution of Trust.............................................................. 36 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS............................................................. 37 SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities............................................................ 37 SECTION 9.2 Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.............................................. 37 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders........................................................... 45 SECTION 9.4 Book-Entry Interests.............................................................. 45 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency........................................................ 46 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.......................................... 46 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS................................................................ 46
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Page ---- SECTION 10.1 Liability......................................................................... 46 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation....................................................................... 47 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty.................................................................... 47 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification................................................................... 48 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses................................................................ 51 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING........................................................................ 51 SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year....................................................................... 51 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters........................................................ 52 SECTION 11.3 Banking........................................................................... 52 SECTION 11.4 Withholding....................................................................... 52 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS........................................................... 53 SECTION 12.1 Amendments........................................................................ 53 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent.................. 54 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE.................................................................. 56 SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee................................ 56 ARTICLE XIV REGISTRATION RIGHTS............................................................... 57 SECTION 14.1 Registration Rights Agreement; Additional Interest................................ 57 ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS..................................................................... 59 SECTION 15.1 Notices........................................................................... 59 SECTION 15.2 Governing Law..................................................................... 60 SECTION 15.3 Intention of the Parties.......................................................... 60 SECTION 15.4 Headings.......................................................................... 60 SECTION 15.5 Successors and Assigns............................................................ 60 SECTION 15.6 Partial Invalidity................................................................ 61 SECTION 15.7 Counterparts...................................................................... 61 ANNEX I........................................................................................................ I-1 EXHIBIT A-1................................................................................................... A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2................................................................................................... A2-1
iii 5 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration - ------------------- ----------- 310(a) ................................................................................... 5.3(a) 310(c) ................................................................................... Inapplicable 311(c) ................................................................................... Inapplicable 312(a) ................................................................................... 2.2(a) 312(b) ................................................................................... 2.2(b) 313 ................................................................................... 2.3 314(a) ................................................................................... 2.4 314(b) ................................................................................... Inapplicable 314(c) ................................................................................... 2.5 314(d) ................................................................................... Inapplicable 314(f) ................................................................................... Inapplicable 315(a) ................................................................................... 3.9(b) 315(c) ................................................................................... 3.9(a) 315(d) ................................................................................... 3.9(a) 316(a) ................................................................................... Annex I 316(c) ................................................................................... 3.6(a)
- ------------------- * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. iv 6 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated as of January 31, 1997, among the Trustees (as defined herein) and the Sponsor (as defined herein). WHEREAS, the Delaware Trustee and the Sponsor established Trenwick Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a statutory business trust formed under the Business Trust Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of January 21, 1997 (the "Original Declaration"), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 21, 1997, for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities (as defined herein), (ii) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement (each as defined herein), (iii) using the proceeds from the sale of Trust Securities to acquire the Debentures (as defined herein), (iv) making Distributions (as defined herein) to holders of the Trust Securities as provided herein and (v) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities); WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; and WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration. NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration fully amend and restate the Original Declaration so as to constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above or elsewhere herein have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1; 7 (b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to this Declaration (including Annex I hereto and Exhibit A hereto) as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or the context otherwise requires; (f) a term defined in the Indenture (as defined below) has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or the context otherwise requires; and (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Additional Interest" means the additional interest referred to in Article XIV. "Administrative Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent or Registrar. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any other Person that is authorized to legally bind such former Person. "Book-Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book-entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close. "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time or any successor legislation. "Capital Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book-Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). 2 8 "Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a). "Capital Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement dated as of January 31, 1997 of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities, as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Capital Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book-entry transfers and pledges of the Capital Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Date" under the Purchase Agreement. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as from time to time constituted, or if any time after the execution of this Declaration such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under applicable Federal securities laws, then the body performing such duties at such time. "Common Securities" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a). "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement dated as of January 31, 1997 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities, as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. "Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Administrative Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrative Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Indenture. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Property Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001. "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) an Affiliate of the Trust; and (b) any Holder of Securities. 3 9 "Debenture Issuer" means Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any consolidation, amalgamation, merger or other business combination, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "Debenture Trustee" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee. "Debentures" means the 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 of the Debenture Issuer issued pursuant to the Indenture (including, as applicable, those Debentures issued upon consummation of the Exchange Offer). "Default" means an event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default. "Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c). "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. "Direct Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(e). "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) that has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a). "Exchange Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a). "Exchange Debentures" means the Debentures issued upon consummation of the Exchange Offer (including pursuant to any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)). "Exchange Offer" means the exchange offer (including any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)) contemplated in Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Capital Securities" means the Regulation S Global Capital Securities, the Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and the Unrestricted Global Capital Securities. 4 10 "Global Certificates" means certificates for Capital Securities registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee. "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Business Trust Act. "Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person. "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. "Initial Capital Securities" means 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per security) of the Trust issued on the Closing Date. "Initial Debentures" means the Debentures as authenticated and issued under the Indenture on the Closing Date. "Initial Purchaser" means Lehman Brothers Inc. "Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act. "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a)(vii). "Like Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of Annex I. "Liquidation Amount" with respect to any Security means the amount designated as such with respect thereto in Section 2(a) of Annex I hereto. "Majority in Liquidation Amount" means, with respect to the Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Trust Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class. "Offering Memorandum" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a). "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Declaration shall include: 5 11 (a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate; (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with. "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of the Sponsor, and who shall be acceptable to the Property Trustee. "Participants" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(b). "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.4. "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature. "Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a). "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement for the initial offering and sale of Capital Securities. "QIBs" means qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A. "Quorum" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are only two Administrative Trustees, both of them. "Registrar" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4. "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997, by and among the Sponsor, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser, as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. "Registration Statement" means a registration statement filed under the Securities Act. "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act, as such regulation may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. 6 12 "Regulation S Global Capital Security" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a). "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor. "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Property Trustee, means any officer of the Property Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Declaration and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Property Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Restricted Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c). "Restricted Capital Security" means a Capital Security required by Section 9.2 to contain a Restricted Securities Legend. "Restricted Securities Legend" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act, or any successor rule or regulation. "Rule 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. "Rule 144A Global Capital Security" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a). "Securities" or "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities (including, as applicable, those Capital Securities issued upon consummation of the Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)). "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Capital Securities Guarantee. "Shelf Registration Statement" means a "shelf" registration statement of the Sponsor and the Trust as contemplated in Section 2(b) of the Registration Rights Agreement. "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture. "Sponsor" means Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust. 7 13 "Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a). "Successor Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(b). "Successor Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a). "Successor Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(b). "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii). "Tax Event Maturity Shortening" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture. "10% in Liquidation Amount" means, with respect to the Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Trust Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class. "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations). "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this Declaration as a trustee (including the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and each Administrative Trustee), so long as such Person shall continue as trustee in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Unrestricted Global Capital Security" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b). ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. 8 14 (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee, unless the Property Trustee is Registrar for the Securities, with a list (i) within five days after each record date for payment of Distributions, in such form as the Property Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the Sponsor nor the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in a List of Holders given to it or which it receives in its capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity), provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee. Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1997, the Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Property Trustee. Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. 9 15 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Capital Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Capital Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or 10 16 (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to the Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Capital Securities and only the Holders of the Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such Default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Property Trustee, at the direction of the Holders of the Capital Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein). (b) The Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees shall file annually with the Property Trustee a certification as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them under this Declaration. (c) For purposes of this Section 2.7, the Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except: (i) a Default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture (other than with respect to the payment of Additional Interest or Compounded Interest); or 11 17 (ii) any Default or Event of Default as to which the Property Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust shall continue to be named "Trenwick Capital Trust I" as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following written notice to the Holders. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrative Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is Trenwick Capital Trust I, c/o Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. On ten Business Days' prior written notice to the Holders, the Administrative Trustees may designate another principal office. SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The Trust exists for the exclusive purpose of (a) issuing and selling Securities, (b) using the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to acquire the Debentures, (c) making Distributions to Holders of the Securities as herein provided, (d) effecting the Exchange Offer or filing a Shelf Registration Statement, and (e) except as otherwise limited herein, engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, mortgage or pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with their powers, as set forth in Sections 3.6 and 5.5, shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. The authority of the Delaware Trustee is set forth in Section 3.11 hereof. 12 18 SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees. (a) The Administrative Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (i) to issue and sell the Capital Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that (A) the Trust may issue no more than two series of Capital Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, (B) there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and (C) the issuance of Securities shall be limited to: (x) a simultaneous issuance of both Capital Securities and Common Securities on the Closing Date and (y) the issuance of a second series of Capital Securities upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer. (ii) in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, and in connection with the Exchange Offer or any Shelf Registration Statement, at the direction of the Sponsor, to: (A) prepare and execute, if necessary, an offering memorandum (the "Offering Memorandum") in preliminary and final form prepared by the Sponsor, in relation to the offering and sale of Initial Capital Securities to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons in offshore transactions complying with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, and to execute and file with the Commission, at such time as is determined by the Sponsor, any Registration Statement, including any amendment thereto, as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement and take such actions as are required to effect the Exchange Offer or any Shelf Registration Statement; (B) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary, to qualify or register all or part of the Capital Securities in any State or foreign jurisdiction in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Capital Securities for sale; (C) if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing or quotation of the Capital Securities; 13 19 (D) execute and deliver letters, documents, or instruments with DTC and other Clearing Agencies relating to the Capital Securities; (E) if required, execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Capital Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (F) execute and enter into the Purchase Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement, a subscription agreement providing for the sale of the Common Securities, a subscription agreement providing for the sale of the Debentures and any other agreements regarding the issuance and sale of Securities; (iii) to acquire the Initial Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Initial Capital Securities and the Common Securities and to exchange the Initial Debentures for a like principal amount of Exchange Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that the Administrative Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Holders of the Common Securities; (iv) to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; (v) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; (vi) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (vii) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (viii) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors and consultants, and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (ix) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act; (x) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Administrative Trustee; 14 20 (xi) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (xii) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, Registrar and Exchange Agent for the Securities or to appoint a Paying Agent for the Securities as provided in Section 7.4, except for such time as such power to appoint a Paying Agent is vested in the Property Trustee; (xiii) to give prompt written notice to the Property Trustee and to Holders of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (xiv) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; (xv) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (xvi) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: (A) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (B) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; (C) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes; and (D) taking all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the Trust; and (xvii) to take all action necessary to consummate the Exchange Offer or otherwise cause the Capital Securities to be registered pursuant to an effective Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. (b) The Administrative Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. 15 21 (c) Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. (d) Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor. SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) all in their capacities as such and not in their individual capacities shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. The Trust shall not: (i) invest any proceeds received by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds (excluding "Additional Sums" (as defined in the Indenture), which Additional Sums shall be applied by the Property Trustee as directed by the Administrative Trustees), to Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities; (ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein; (iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose; (iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures; (v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Declaration or Annex I, (A) direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding with respect to any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any right or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be required, unless the Trust shall have received an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect there is no more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a trust subject to the provisions of Section 671 through 679 of the Code (a "grantor trust") on account of such amendment, modification or termination. 16 22 SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee. (a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Holders. The right, title and interest of the Property Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered. (b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Property Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Securities from the Property Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Property Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Property Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Capital Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and (iii) upon written notice issued by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain events. (d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (e) Subject to Section 3.9(a) and this Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee shall have the exclusive right to take any Legal Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge or the Property Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act so require, and if the Property Trustee shall have failed to take such Legal Action, the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Holders of the Capital Securities may take such Legal Action, to the same extent as if such Holders of Capital Securities held an aggregate principal amount of Debentures equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities, without first proceeding against the Property 17 23 Trustee or the Trust; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on the date such principal, premium, if any, or interest is otherwise payable (or in the case of prepayment on the prepayment date), then, the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, a Holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of Holders of Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to Holders of Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. The Sponsor hereby covenants that, without the consent of the holders of all the Capital Securities then outstanding, it will not take any action to impair or affect the right of holders of Capital Securities to bring a Direct Action. (f) The Property Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities; or (ii) a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.7(a). (g) The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to the terms of such Securities. (h) The Property Trustee shall be authorized to undertake any actions set forth in Section 317(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. (i) Subject to Section 7.4 hereof, for such time as the Property Trustee is the Paying Agent, the Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons to act as additional Paying Agents and to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any such additional Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time the Property Trustee remains as Paying Agent and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be (but is not required to be) appointed at any time by the Property Trustee. (j) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 3.6.; provided, however, that if the Administrative Trustees appoint the Property Trustee as Registrar, Exchange Agent or Paying Agent pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(xii), the Property Trustee shall have the power hereunder to serve in any such capacity and perform the duties and obligations related thereto. 18 24 (k) The Property Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Property Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee. (a) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and in the Securities and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and of the Securities, and the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and in the Securities, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Property Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; provided, however, that in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; (ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee under the 19 25 Indenture with respect to the Debentures, or exercising any right or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Declaration; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Property Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under this Declaration, the Business Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act; (vi) the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Trustee Account maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and (viii) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees contemplated by this Declaration may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an 20 26 Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees; (iv) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof; (v) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. The Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction; (vi) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Property Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Property Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Property Trustee; (vii) the Property 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 Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the rights or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Property Trustee shall not be required to supervise, nor shall it be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; (ix) any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Property Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Property Trustee so to act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such action; (x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Property Trustee (A) may request written instructions from the Holders of the Securities, which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in Liquidation Amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property 21 27 Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions; (xi) the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration; and (xii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Declaration. (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. (c) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Property Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Delaware Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Delaware Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of any of the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee or the Sponsor. In the event the Delaware Trustee shall at any time be required to take any action or perform any duty hereunder, the Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.9(b)(ii)-(viii) and Section 3.10. No implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Delaware Trustee. SECTION 3.12 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. 22 28 SECTION 3.13 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence up to February 1, 2042. SECTION 3.14 Mergers. (a) The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any Person, except as described in Section 3.14(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor as the holder of all the outstanding Common Securities, with the consent of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; (ii) the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee with respect to the Debentures; (iii) the Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Capital Securities are then listed or quoted, if any; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than any dilution of such Holders' interests in the new entity); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; 23 29 (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Sponsor has received an opinion of an independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that: (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the Holders' interest in the new entity); and (B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company; and (viii) the Sponsor or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the common securities of such Successor Entity and guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.14(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of the Holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety to, any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or the Successor Entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. ARTICLE IV SPONSOR SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities then issued by the Trust, in a Liquidation Amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Initial Capital Securities are issued and sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. (a) In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (i) to prepare the Offering Memorandum and to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission any Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement (or to delegate such preparation to the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(ii)(A) hereof); 24 30 (ii) to determine the States and foreign jurisdictions in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(ii)(B) hereof, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States or foreign jurisdictions; (iii) if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, to prepare for execution and filing by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(ii)(C) hereof, an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing or quotation of the Capital Securities; (iv) if required, to prepare for filing by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(ii)(E) hereof with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Capital Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (v) to negotiate the terms and cause the preparation of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement providing for the sale and registration, respectively, of the Capital Securities for execution by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(ii)(F) hereof. SECTION 4.3 Right to Proceed. The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of the Holders of Capital Securities, in the event that a failure of the Trust to pay Distributions on the Capital Securities is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures, to institute a proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer for enforcement of its payment obligations on the Debentures. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee. The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural Person, shall be a Person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural Person, is an entity which has its principal place of 25 31 business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Sponsor (an "Administrative Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Property Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. Notwithstanding the above, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust's property may at the time be located, the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities acting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities, and the Administrative Trustees, shall have power at any time or times, to appoint one or more Persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of the Trust's property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make any such appointment of a co-trustee. SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee. As required by the Business Trust Act, the Delaware Trustee shall be: (a) a natural Person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or (b) if not a natural Person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law; provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Property Trustee may also be the Delaware Trustee in which case Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility. (a) There shall at all times be one Trustee (the "Property Trustee") which shall act as Property Trustee which shall: (i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. 26 32 (b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (d) The Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (e) The initial Property Trustee shall be: The Chase Manhattan Bank 450 West 33rd Street 15th Floor New York, New York 10001 Attention: Corporate Trustee Administration Department SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural Person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity otherwise satisfying the provisions of this Declaration that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Administrative Trustees. (a) The initial Administrative Trustees shall be: James F. Billett, Jr. Alan L. Hunte Jane T. Wiznitzer (b) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Administrative Trustees have power to act, any power of the Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one Administrative Trustee. (c) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Administrative Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. 27 33 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware 1201 Market Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Attention: Corporate Trustee Administration Department SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), any Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Sponsor; (ii) in the case of Administrative Trustees, after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; (iii) in the case of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; and (iv) in the case of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance of the Securities, by vote of Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities. The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Property Trustee under Section 5.3 (a "Successor Property Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. (b) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: 28 34 (i) No such resignation or removal of the Trustee that acts as the Property Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Property Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and, after complying with the provisions of Section 3808(e) of the Business Trust Act, the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation or removal of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (c) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts promptly to appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Property Trustee, as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (d) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or removal, the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and appropriate, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (e) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. 29 35 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Administrative Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time as needed upon the call of any Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative Trustees. Notice of any in-person meeting of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile) not less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meeting of the Administrative Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile) not less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of an Administrative Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where an Administrative Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Administrative Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Administrative Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Administrative Trustees. In the event there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all action of such Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Administrative Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural Person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any Registration Statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of this Declaration or the Securities. 30 36 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which any Trustee (excluding any Administrative Trustee that is a natural Person) may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. SECTION 5.13 Undertaking for Costs In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Declaration or in any suit against the Property Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Property Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit (other than the Property Trustee) of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit (other than the Property Trustee), having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Each Holder shall receive Distributions in accordance with the terms of such Holder's Securities. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture), Additional Interest, additional Distributions, premium and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee or any other payments pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Debentures held by the Property Trustee (but excluding Additional Sums (as defined in the Indenture), which Additional Sums shall be applied by the Property Trustee as directed by the Administrative Trustees) (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a Distribution of the Payment Amount to Holders in accordance with the respective terms of the Securities held by them. 31 37 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Administrative Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of Subordinated Capital Income Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, which class may be divided into no more than two series each having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Capital Securities"), and one class of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common Securities"). At such time, if ever, as the Exchange Debentures are issued, the Administrative Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one series of capital securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Exchange Capital Securities") in exchange for the Initial Capital Securities accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Exchange Capital Securities shall not bear the legends set forth in Section 9.2 unless the Holder of the Initial Capital Securities is either (i) a broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Capital Securities directly from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, or any other available exemption, under the Securities Act, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Initial Capital Securities or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144A) of the Trust or unless the Registration Rights Agreement shall require otherwise. The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The definition of Exchange Capital Securities as used in this Declaration shall be deemed to include any Capital Securities issued in a Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), and any Capital Securities issued in a Private Exchange shall be deemed to be of the same series as the Exchange Capital Securities. (b) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust. (c) Upon receipt of the stated consideration in full, and the subsequent issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. (d) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Capital Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Execution and Authentication. (a) The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by an Administrative Trustee. In case any Administrative Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrative Trustee before the Securities so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Securities nevertheless may be delivered as though the Person who signed such Securities had not ceased to be such Administrative Trustee; and any Securities may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such Persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such Person was not such an Administrative Trustee. 32 38 (b) One Administrative Trustee shall sign the Capital Securities for the Trust by manual or facsimile signature. Unless otherwise determined by the Trust, such signature shall, in the case of Common Securities, be a manual signature. (c) A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized officer of the Property Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration. (d) Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The aggregate number of Capital Securities outstanding at any time shall not exceed the number set forth in Annex I hereto except as provided in Section 7.6. (e) The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Administrative Trustees to authenticate Capital Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Capital Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Declaration to authentication by the Property Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Property Trustee to deal with the Sponsor or an Affiliate. SECTION 7.3 Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Property Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration. Certificates representing the Securities may be printed, typewritten, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, CUSIP or other numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Trust). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Property Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Property Trustee, Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to be bound thereby. (a) Global Securities. Securities offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A or offered and sold outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S, as provided in the Purchase Agreement, shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Securities in definitive, fully registered form without Distribution coupons with the appropriate global legends and Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto (respectively, a "Rule 144A Global Capital Security" or "Regulation S Global Capital Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented thereby with the Property Trustee, as custodian for the Clearing Agency, and registered in the name of the Clearing Agency or a nominee of the Clearing Agency, duly executed by an Administrative Trustee and authenticated by the Property Trustee as hereinafter provided. The number of Capital Securities represented by the 33 39 Rule 144A Global Capital Security and the Regulation S Global Capital Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Property Trustee and the Clearing Agency or its nominee as hereinafter provided. (b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply only to the Rule 144A Global Capital Securities, the Regulation S Global Capital Securities and such other Capital Securities in global form as may be authorized by the Trust to be deposited with or on behalf of the Clearing Agency. (i) An Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and, in accordance with this Section 7.3, make available for delivery initially one or more Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and one or more Regulation S Global Capital Securities that (A) shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co. or another nominee of such Clearing Agency and (B) shall be delivered by the Property Trustee to such Clearing Agency or pursuant to such Clearing Agency's written instructions or held by the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency. (ii) Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency ("Participants") shall have no rights under this Declaration with respect to any Rule 144A Global Capital Security or any Regulation S Global Capital Security held on their behalf by the Clearing Agency or by the Property Trustee as the custodian of the Clearing Agency or under such Rule 144A Global Capital Security or such Regulation S Global Capital Security, and the Clearing Agency may be treated by the Trust, the Property Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee as the absolute owner of such Rule 144A Global Capital Security or such Regulation S Global Capital Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trust, the Property Trustee or any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Clearing Agency or impair, as between the Clearing Agency and its Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Clearing Agency governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Rule 144A Global Capital Security or any Regulation S Global Capital Security. (c) Definitive Capital Securities. Except as provided in Section 7.9, owners of beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Capital Security or a Regulation S Global Capital Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Capital Securities ("Definitive Capital Securities"). Purchasers of Securities who are "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and did not purchase Capital Securities in reliance on Rule 144A or Regulation S will receive Capital Securities in the form of individual certificates in definitive, fully registered form without Distribution coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto ("Restricted Definitive Capital Securities"); provided, however, that upon transfer of such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities to a QIB, such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will, unless the Rule 144A Global Capital Security has previously been exchanged, be exchanged for an interest in a Rule 144A Global Capital Security pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2. Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will bear the Restricted Securities Legend set forth on Exhibit A-1 unless removed in accordance with this Section 7.3 or Section 9.2. 34 40 SECTION 7.4 Registrar and Paying Agent. (a) The Trust shall maintain in The City of New York, (i) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be presented for registration of transfer ("Registrar"), (ii) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and (iii) an office or agency where Securities may be presented for exchange in connection with the Exchange Offer (the "Exchange Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Capital Securities and of their transfer. The Administrative Trustees shall appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Exchange Agent and may appoint one or more co-Registrars, one or more additional Paying Agents and one or more additional Exchange Agents in such other locations as they shall determine. The term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar, the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent and the term "Exchange Agent" includes any additional exchange agent." The Administrative Trustees may change any Registrar or co-Registrar, Paying Agent or Exchange Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees. The Administrative Trustees shall notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Administrative Trustees fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Paying Agent or Exchange Agent, the Property Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Exchange Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar for the Common Securities. (b) The Administrative Trustees initially appoint the Property Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for the Capital Securities. SECTION 7.5 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the Property Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Property Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Liquidation Amounts or Distributions on the Securities, and will notify the Property Trustee if there are insufficient funds for such purpose. While any such insufficiency continues or in the event of an Event of Default, the Property Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee. The Trust at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee and to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon payment over to the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust or an Affiliate of the Trust) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Trust or the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund or account for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. SECTION 7.6 Replacement Securities. If any Holder claims that a Security owned by it has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken or if any Security is mutilated and is surrendered to the Trust or in the case of the Capital Securities to the Property Trustee, the Trust shall issue, an Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of this Section 7.6 are satisfied. An indemnity bond must be provided by the Holder which, in the judgment of the Property Trustee, is sufficient to protect the Trustees, the Sponsor or any authenticating agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Trust may charge such Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security. 35 41 Every replacement Security is a substitute beneficial interest in the Trust to the same extent as the original it replaces. SECTION 7.7 Outstanding Capital Securities. (a) The Capital Securities outstanding at any time are all the Capital Securities authenticated by the Property Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. (b) If a Capital Security is replaced (pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Property Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Capital Security is held by a bona fide purchaser satisfying the conditions of this Declaration, including without limitation the provisions of Article IX hereof. (c) If Capital Securities are considered redeemed, including any and all distributions and liquidation preferences, in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, they cease to be outstanding and Distributions on them shall cease to accumulate. (d) A Capital Security does not cease to be outstanding because one of the Administrative Trustees, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor holds the Security. SECTION 7.8 Capital Securities in Treasury. In determining whether the Holders of the required amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Capital Securities owned by the Administrative Trustees, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor, as the case may be, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Property Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. SECTION 7.9 Temporary Securities. (a) Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Administrative Trustees may cause to be prepared and execute, and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Administrative Trustees consider appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrative Trustees shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. (b) A Global Capital Security deposited with the Clearing Agency or with the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency pursuant to Section 7.3 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated Capital Securities only if such transfer complies with Section 9.2 and (i) the Clearing Agency notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global Capital Security or if at any time such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency" registered under the Exchange Act and a clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within 90 days of such notice, (ii) a Default or an Event of Default has 36 42 occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Administrative Trustees in their sole discretion elect to cause the issuance of certificated Capital Securities. (c) Any Global Capital Security that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated Capital Securities pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be surrendered by the Clearing Agency to the Property Trustee located in the City of New York, New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Capital Security, an equal aggregate Liquidation Amount of Securities of authorized denominations in the form of certificated Capital Securities. Any portion of a Global Capital Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names as the Clearing Agency shall direct. Any Capital Security in the form of certificated Capital Securities delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Capital Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Sections 7.3 and 9.1, bear the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto. (d) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9(c), the Holder of a Global Capital Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take any action which such Holder is entitled to take under this Declaration or the Securities. (e) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 7.9(b), the Administrative Trustees will promptly make available to the Property Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Capital Securities in fully registered form without Distribution coupons. SECTION 7.10 Cancellation. The Administrative Trustees at any time may deliver Capital Securities to the Property Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent shall forward to the Property Trustee any Capital Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange or payment. The Property Trustee shall promptly cancel all Capital Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Capital Securities in accordance with its customary procedures unless the Administrative Trustees otherwise direct the Property Trustee in writing. The Trust may not issue new Capital Securities to replace Capital Securities that it has redeemed or that have been delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation or that any Holder has exchanged. SECTION 7.11 CUSIP Numbers. The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Property Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Capital Securities; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Capital Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Capital Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Sponsor will promptly notify the Property Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers. 37 43 ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Dissolution of Trust. (a) The Trust shall automatically dissolve: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or liquidation or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; (iii) following the distribution of a Like Amount of the Debentures to the Holders; provided that the Property Trustee has received a written notice from the Sponsor as the holder of all the outstanding Common Securities directing it to terminate the Trust (which direction is at the discretion of the Sponsor, except as provided below); provided, further, that such distribution is conditioned on the Administrative Trustees' receipt of an opinion by independent tax counsel experienced in such matters, which opinion may rely on published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and such distribution of a Like Amount of the Debentures; (iv) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction; (v) when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; (vi) upon the repayment of the Debentures or at such time as no Debentures are outstanding; (vii) the expiration of the term of the Trust provided in Section 3.13; or (viii) following the distribution of a Like Amount of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms thereof upon receipt of a written notice from the Sponsor that it intends to effect a Tax Event Maturity Shortening and directing the Administrative Trustees to dissolve the Trust and distribute a Like Amount of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a) and after satisfaction of all liabilities of the Trust, the Administrative Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the dissolution of the Trust. 38 44 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Subject to this Article IX, Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration. Any transfer or purported transfer of any security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) The Sponsor may not transfer the Common Securities, except as set forth in Section 10.01 of the Indenture. (c) The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of the transfer of Securities, which will be effected without charge except as provided in Section 7.6 hereof, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall cause one or more new Securities to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Registrar. A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.2 Transfer Procedures and Restrictions. (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(c), if Capital Securities are issued upon the registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Capital Securities bearing the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto, or if a request is made to remove such Restricted Securities Legend on Capital Securities, the Capital Securities so issued shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend, or the Restricted Securities Legend shall not be removed, as the case may be, unless there is delivered to the Trust and the Property Trustee such satisfactory evidence, which shall include an Opinion of Counsel licensed to practice law in the State of New York, as may be reasonably required by the Sponsor, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof are made pursuant to an exception from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or, with respect to Restricted Securities, that such Securities are not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Property Trustee, at the written direction of the Administrative Trustees, shall authenticate and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend. (b) Transfers After Effectiveness of a Registration Statement. Upon exchange of any Capital Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement with respect to the Exchange Offer, except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement or by the terms of the Capital Securities, all requirements pertaining to Securities Act legends on such Capital Securities will cease to apply, and 39 45 beneficial interests in a Capital Security in global form without legends will be available to transferees of such Capital Securities, upon exchange of the transferring holder's Restricted Definitive Capital Security or directions to transfer such Holder's beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security or the Regulation S Global Capital Security, as the case may be. No such transfer or exchange of a Restricted Definitive Capital Security or of an interest in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security or the Regulation S Global Capital Security shall be effective unless the transferor delivers to the Trust a certificate in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(m), after the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee, upon a written order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, shall authenticate a Capital Security in global form without the Restricted Securities Legend (the "Unrestricted Global Capital Security") to deposit with the Clearing Agent to evidence transfers of beneficial interests from the (i) Rule 144A Global Capital Security or the Regulation S Global Capital Security and (ii) Restricted Definitive Capital Securities. (c) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Capital Securities. When Definitive Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or co-Registrar: (x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Capital securities or (y) to exchange such Definitive Capital Securities which became mutilated, destroyed, defaced, stolen or lost, for an equal number of Definitive Capital Securities, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Capital Securities surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange: (i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust and the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and (ii) in the case of Definitive Capital Securities that are Restricted Definitive Capital Securities: (A) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or (B) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being delivered to register a transfer: (x) a certification from the transferor in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1, and (y) if the Trust or Registrar so requests, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Sponsor as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the Restricted Securities Legend. (d) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Capital Security for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Capital Security. A Definitive Capital Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Property Trustee of a Definitive Capital Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Property Trustee, together with: 40 46 (i) if such Definitive Capital Security is a Restricted Capital Security, a written certificate (in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1); provided, however, that such Definitive Capital Security may only be exchanged for an interest in a Regulation S Global Security where such Definitive Capital Security is being transferred pursuant to Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available); and (ii) whether or not such Definitive Capital Security is a Restricted Capital Security, written instructions directing the Property Trustee to make, or to direct the Clearing Agency to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to the appropriate Global Capital Security to reflect an increase in the number of the Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital Security, then the Property Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Capital Security and cause, or direct the Clearing Agency to cause, the aggregate number of Capital Securities represented by the appropriate Global Capital Security to be increased accordingly. If no Global Capital Securities are then outstanding, the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of any Administrative Trustee, an appropriate number of Capital Securities in global form. (e) Transfer and Exchange of Global Capital Securities. Subject to Section 9.2(f), the transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in Global Capital Securities shall be effected through the Clearing Agency, in accordance with this Declaration (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Clearing Agency therefor. (f) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in a Global Capital Security for a Definitive Capital Security. (i) Any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security may upon request, but only upon 20 days prior notice to the Property Trustee, and if accompanied by the information specified below, exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Capital Security representing the same number of Capital Securities. Upon receipt by the Property Trustee from the Clearing Agency or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the Clearing Agency or the Person designated by the Clearing Agency as having such a beneficial interest in a Restricted Capital Security and a certification from the transferor (in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1), which may be submitted by facsimile, then the Property Trustee will cause the aggregate number of Capital Securities represented by Global Capital Securities to be reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the Administrative Trustees will execute and the Property Trustee will authenticate and make available for delivery to the transferee a Definitive Capital Security. (ii) Definitive Capital Securities issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Clearing Agency, pursuant to instructions from its Participants or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Property Trustee in writing. The Property Trustee shall deliver such Capital Securities to the Persons in whose names such 41 47 Capital Securities are so registered in accordance with such instructions of the Clearing Agency. (g) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Capital Securities. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration (other than the provisions set forth in subsection (h) of this Section 9.2), a Global Capital Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Clearing Agency to a nominee of the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing Agency or by the Clearing Agency or any such nominee to a successor Clearing Agency or a nominee of such successor Clearing Agency. Prior to the expiration of the restricted period, as contemplated by Regulation S, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Capital Security may be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security only if such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the Capital Securities pursuant to Rule 144A and the transferor first delivers to the Property Trustee a written certificate (in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1) to the effect that the Capital Securities are being transferred to a Person whom the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions. Beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Regulation S Global Capital Security, whether before or after the expiration of such restricted period, as contemplated by Regulation S, only if the transferor first delivers to the Property Trustee a written certificate (in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available) and that, if such transfer occurs prior to the expiration of such restricted period, the interest transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or CEDEL. (h) Authentication of Definitive Capital Securities. If at any time: (i) there occurs a Default or an Event of Default which is continuing, or (ii) the Administrative Trustees, in their sole discretion, notify the Property Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of Definitive Capital Securities under this Declaration, then the Administrative Trustees will execute, and the Property Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee requesting the authentication and delivery of Definitive Capital Securities to the Persons designated by the Trust, will authenticate and make available for delivery Definitive Capital Securities, equal in number to the number of Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Securities, in exchange for such Global Capital Securities. (i) Legend. (i) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each Capital Security certificate evidencing the Global Capital Securities and the Definitive Capital Securities (and all Capital Securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, except in the Exchange 42 48 Offer) shall bear a legend (the "Restricted Securities Legend") in substantially the following form: THE CAPITAL SECURITY REPRESENTED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A") TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501 (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRUST AND THE COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E), TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED JANUARY 28, 1997. 43 49 THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT EITHER (A) IS NOT A PLAN SUBJECT TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE of 1986, AS AMENDED, AND IS NOT PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES (OR INTEREST THEREIN) ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY SUCH PLAN OR (B) IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14. THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. and in the case of the Regulation S Global Capital Security THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE. (ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Restricted Capital Security (including any Restricted Capital Security represented by a Global Capital Security) pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act after such registration statement ceases to be effective: (A) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is a Definitive Capital Security, the Registrar, unless otherwise notified in writing, shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Restricted Capital Security for a Definitive Capital Security that does not bear the Restricted Securities Legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Restricted Capital Security; and (B) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is represented by a Global Capital Security, the Registrar, unless otherwise notified in writing, shall permit the Holder of such Global Capital Security to exchange such Global Capital Security for another Global Capital Security that does not bear the Restricted Securities Legend. (j) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Capital Security. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security have either been exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities to the extent permitted by this Declaration or redeemed, repurchased or canceled in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, such Global Capital Security shall be canceled by the Property Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security is exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities, Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the 44 50 Property Trustee (if it is then the custodian for such Global Capital Security) with respect to such Global Capital Security, by the Property Trustee or the Securities custodian, to reflect such reduction. (k) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Capital Securities. (i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Administrative Trustees shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Capital Securities and Global Capital Securities at the Registrar's or co-Registrar's request in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. (ii) Subject to Section 7.6 hereof, registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Trust or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it. (iii) The Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange (a) Capital Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption or any notice of selection of Capital Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (b) any Capital Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Capital Security being redeemed in part. (iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Capital Security, the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Capital Security is registered as the absolute Holder of such Capital Security for the purpose of receiving Distributions on such Capital Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary. (v) All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. 45 51 (l) No Obligation of the Property Trustee. (i) The Property Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Capital Security, a Participant in the Clearing Agency or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Clearing Agency or its nominee or of any Participant thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Capital Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Clearing Agency) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Capital Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Capital Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Clearing Agency or its nominee in the case of a Global Capital Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Capital Security shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Clearing Agency. The Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Clearing Agency or any agent thereof with respect to its Participants and any beneficial owners. (ii) The Property Trustee and Registrar shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Declaration or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Capital Security (including any transfers between or among Clearing Agency Participants or beneficial owners in any Global Capital Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Declaration, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. (m) Exchange of Initial Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities. The Initial Capital Securities may be exchanged for Exchange Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer. The Property Trustee shall make the exchange as follows: (i) The Sponsor shall present the Property Trustee with an Officers' Certificate certifying the following: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the Exchange Offer has become effective; and (B) the number of Initial Capital Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global Capital Security and the number of Initial Capital Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by Definitive Capital Securities, the name of each Holder of such Definitive Capital Securities, the liquidation amount of Capital Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer by each such Holder and the name and address to which Definitive Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities shall be registered and sent for each such Holder. 46 52 (ii) The Property Trustee upon receipt of (A) such Officers' Certificate, (B) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Capital Securities have been registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture, the Declaration and the Capital Securities Guarantee have each been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(p) of the Registration Rights Agreement and (C) a Company Order (as defined in the Indenture), shall authenticate (I) a Global Capital Security for Exchange Capital Securities in aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of Initial Capital Securities represented by a Global Capital Security indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been properly tendered and (II) Definitive Capital Securities representing Exchange Capital Securities registered in the names of, and in the liquidation amounts indicated in, such Officers' Certificate. (iii) If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, less than all the outstanding Initial Capital Securities shall have been properly tendered and not withdrawn, the Property Trustee shall make an endorsement on the Global Capital Security for Initial Capital Securities indicating the reduction in the number and aggregate liquidation amount represented thereby as a result of the Exchange Offer. (iv) The Trust shall deliver such Definitive Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities to the Holders thereof as indicated in such Officers' Certificate. (n) Minimum Transfers. Initial Capital Securities may only be transferred in minimum blocks of $100,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount until such Initial Capital Securities are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act or become "unrestricted" pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. (o) ERISA. Securities may not be acquired by any Person who is, or who, in acquiring such Securities is using the assets of, an employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code ("ERISA Plan"), unless the acquisition and holding by the Plan of such Securities is eligible for the exemptive relief available under one of the following class exemptions: (i) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 90-1 ("PTCE 90-1"), regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts, (ii) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 91-38 ("PTCE 91-38"), regarding investments by bank collective investment funds, (iii) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 ("PTCE 84-14"), regarding transactions effected by qualified professional asset managers, (iv) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 96-23 ("PTCE 96-23"), regarding transactions effected by in-house asset managers, or (v) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60 ("PTCE 95-60"), regarding investments by insurance company general accounts. Each certificate representing Capital Securities or Exchange Capital Securities, as the case may be, shall bear a legend to the effect that the holder of the Capital Security or the Exchange Capital Security or any interest therein represents and acknowledges that (a) it is not an ERISA Plan and is not purchasing such securities (or interest therein) on behalf of or with "plan assets," of any ERISA Plan or (b) its purchase and holding of the Capital Securities (or interest therein) is eligible for the exemptive relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14. To avoid Prohibited Transactions, any ERISA Plan purchasing Capital Securities will be deemed to have directed the Trust to invest in the Debentures and to have appointed the Trustees. 47 53 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Security shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole Holder of such Security for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Security on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book-Entry Interests. (a) Global Capital Securities shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the Clearing Agency, and no Capital Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Capital Security Certificate representing such Capital Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Capital Securities, except as provided in Section 9.2. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Capital Securities certificates have been issued to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.2: (i) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (ii) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Capital Securities and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Capital Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners; (iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and (iv) the rights of the Capital Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Capital Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book-entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Capital Security Holders is required under this Declaration, the Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Holders of Global Capital Security to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities the Administrative Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Capital Securities. 48 54 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders, which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; or (ii) required to pay to any Holder any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise. (b) The Sponsor shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets. (c) Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. 49 55 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. 50 56 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise becomes involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise becomes involved in any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person, against expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Administrative Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a 51 57 quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending or participating in a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (1) by the Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (3) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrative Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such Person did not reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the disinterested Administrative Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common Security Holders or Capital Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Common Security Holders or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect 52 58 to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person. (b) The Sponsor agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees' representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person) incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, and the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. (c) Each Indemnified Person shall give prompt notice to each indemnifying party from whom indemnification is to be sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person of any action threatened or commenced against it in respect of which any indemnity is sought hereunder, enclosing a copy of all papers served on, and notices and demands delivered to, such Indemnified Person, if any, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may have under this Section 10.4, except to the extent that it is materially prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such action or proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person who shall not, except with the consent of such Indemnified Person, be counsel to the indemnifying party. Upon assumption by the indemnifying party of the defense of any such action or proceeding, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such action or proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the indemnifying party shall not be liable for any legal fees or expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person in a timely manner, or (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel (who shall not be employed by such Indemnified Person and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party) that such representation would constitute an actual or potential conflict of interests for counsel selected by the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the Indemnified Person, and the Indemnified Person shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action being defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the indemnifying party. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated above, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is 53 59 entered into more than thirty Business Days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. (d) The Sponsor agrees to pay the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for all services rendered by the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee hereunder as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Sponsor and the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon its or their request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its or their negligence or bad faith. SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee, or the Property Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates. 54 60 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrative Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified accountants selected by the Administrative Trustees. (b) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Property Trustee and to each of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements of income or loss for such Fiscal Year prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (c) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required and at such time as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. (d) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Administrative Trustees; provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee Account. 55 61 SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrative Trustees shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to Distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over-withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Administrative Trustees (or if there are more than two Administrative Trustees a majority of the Administrative Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee; and (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee. (b) No amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Property Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall have first received: 56 62 (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (B) an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and (C) an Opinion of counsel complying with Section 3.7(vii) hereof, provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall not be required to sign any such amendment until it is furnished an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not: (1) cause the Trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (2) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Property Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (3) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act. (c) At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; (d) Sections 3.14 (c) and 9.1(b), this Section 12.1 and the last sentence of Section 3.8(e) shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities, and; (f) The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees, shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities; and (g) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended by the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor without the consent of the Holders of the Securities to: (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Declaration which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Declaration; (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of this Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income 57 63 tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act; or (iii) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Declaration of Trust under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in each case, such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of the Securities. Any amendments of this Declaration shall become effective when notice thereof is sent to the Holders of the Securities. SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. (a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Administrative Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Administrative Trustees shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in Liquidation Amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrative Trustees one or more notices in a writing stating that the signing Holders wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders having a right to vote thereat at least seven days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities in Liquidation Amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Administrative Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Administrative Trustees; (ii) each Holder may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the 58 64 pleasure of the Holder executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Holders were stockholders of a Delaware corporation; (iii) each meeting of the Holders shall be conducted by the Administrative Trustees or by such other Person that the Administrative Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Property Trustee that: (a) The Property Trustee is a New York banking corporation with trust powers and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration; (b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Property Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Property Trustee and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and 59 65 (d) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any New York or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration; (b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Delaware Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee; (d) The Delaware Trustee is a natural Person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural Person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware; and (e) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any Delaware or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration. 60 66 ARTICLE XIV REGISTRATION RIGHTS SECTION 14.1 Registration Rights Agreement; Additional Interest. (a) The Holders of the Capital Securities, the Debentures and the Capital Securities Guarantee (collectively, the "Registrable Securities") are entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Sponsor and the Trust have agreed for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities that: (i) they will, at the Sponsor's cost, within 150 days after January 28, 1997, the date of the Offering Memorandum, file a registration statement (the "Exchange Registration Statement") relating to an Exchange Offer pursuant to which each issuer of such respective Registrable Securities would issue amounts of such Registrable Securities as are accepted in the Exchange Offer which shall be identical in all respects to those exchanged, except they will have been registered under the Securities Act and (except as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement) will no longer be subject to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act or the $100,000 minimum aggregate principal or liquidation amount transfer restriction and, if required pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, file a Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities, (ii) they will use their best efforts to cause such Exchange Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case requires, to be declared effective by the Commission within 180 days after the date of the Offering Memorandum and (iii) they will use their best efforts to maintain the Shelf Registration Statement, if any, continuously effective under the Securities Act until the third anniversary of the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or such earlier date as is provided in the Registration Rights Agreement (the "Effectiveness Period"). All references herein to such Registrable Securities shall be deemed to include, as the context may require, the Registrable Securities into which such Securities have been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Registration ("Exchange Securities") and all reference to numbers or amounts of such Securities shall be deemed to include, as the context may require, such Exchange Securities. (b) If (i) (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is filed with the Commission on or prior to the 150th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum, or (B) notwithstanding that the Debenture Issuer and the Trust have consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Debenture Issuer and the Trust are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to the date required by the Registration Rights Agreement, then commencing on the day after either such required filing date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Debentures affected thereby, and additional Distributions shall accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or (ii) (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 180th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum or (B) notwithstanding that the Debenture Issuer and the Trust have consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Debenture Issuer and the Trust are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 180th day after the date of the Offering 61 67 Memorandum, then, commencing on the 181st day after the date of the Offering Memorandum. Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Debentures affected thereby, and additional Distributions shall accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or (iii) (A) the Trust has not exchanged Exchange Capital Securities for all Capital Securities or the Debenture Issuer has not exchanged Exchange Guarantees or Exchange Subordinated Debentures for all Guarantees or Subordinated Debentures validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date or such shorter period as may be referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (other than after such time as all Capital Securities have been disposed of thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities), then Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Debentures affected thereby, and additional Distributions shall accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, at a rate of 0.25% per annum commencing on (x) the 31st day after such effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above; provided, however, that neither the Additional Interest rate on the Debentures, nor the additional Distributions rate on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, may exceed in the aggregate 0.25% per annum; provided, further, however, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of Section 14.1(b)(i)), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of Section 14.1(b)(ii)), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Capital Securities, Exchange Guarantees and Exchange Subordinated Debentures for all Capital Securities, Guarantees and Subordinated Debentures tendered (in the case of Section 14.1(b)(iii)(A)), or upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of Section 14.1(b)(iii)(B)), Additional Interest on the Debentures, and additional Distributions on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities as a result of this Section 14.1(b) (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accumulate. (c) Any amounts of Additional Interest and additional Distributions due pursuant to Sections 14.1(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) above will be payable in cash on February 1 and August 1 of each year to the Holders on the fifteenth day preceding the relevant Distribution date; provided, however, that the payment of such amounts may be deferred during any Extension Period. 62 68 ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 15.1 Notices. (a) All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered, certified or first class mail, as follows: (i) if given to the Trust, in care of the mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Holders): Trenwick Capital Trust I c/o Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Telecopy: (203) 353-5544 (ii) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the Holders): Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware 1201 Market Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Attention: Corporate Trustee Administration Department Telecopy: (302) 984-4889 (iii) if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to the Holders): 63 69 The Chase Manhattan Bank Global Trust Services 450 West 33rd Street 15th Floor New York, New York 10001 Attention: Corporate Trustee Administration Department Telecopy: (212) 946-8158 (iv) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Property Trustee and the Trust): Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Attention: Jayne T. Wiznitzer, Esq. Vice President - Legal Affairs and Secretary Telecopy: (203) 353-5544 (v) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust. (b) All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by registered, certified or first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 15.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws; provided, however, that the provisions of 12 Del. C. Sections 3540 and 3561 shall not apply, and, to the fullest extent possible, it is the intent of the parties hereto the compensation payable to any Trustee not be subject to review by any Court whether pursuant to 12 Del. C. Section 3560 or otherwise. SECTION 15.3 Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties. 64 70 SECTION 15.4 Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof. SECTION 15.5 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed. SECTION 15.6 Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect and may be enforced in accordance with the provisions hereof. SECTION 15.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. 65 71 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. ______________________________________________________ James F. Billett, Jr., not in his individual capacity but solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee ______________________________________________________ Alan L. Hunte, not in his individual capacity but solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee ______________________________________________________ Jane T. Wiznitzer, not in her individual capacity but solely in her capacity as Administrative Trustee CHASE MANHATTAN BANK DELAWARE, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee By:_________________________________________________ Name: John J. Cashin Title: Senior Trust Officer THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as Property Trustee By:________________________________________________ Name: G. McFarlane Title: Vice President TRENWICK GROUP INC., as Sponsor By:_______________________________________________ Name: James F. Billett, Jr. Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer 72 ANNEX I TERMS OF 8.82% CAPITAL SECURITIES 8.82% COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of January 31, 1997 among Trenwick Group Inc., as Sponsor, the Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities (collectively, the "Securities") are set out below and supplement the other rights and obligations of Holders of Securities contained in the Declaration (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Indenture. 1. Designation and Number. (a) Capital Securities. One hundred ten thousand (110,000) Subordinated Capital Income Securities of the Trust, with an aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in Section 2 hereof) of one hundred ten million U.S. dollars ($110,000,000), and with a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities" (the "Capital Securities"). Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer a second series of the Capital Securities may be issued which shall be identical in all respects to the series of Capital Securities issued on the Closing Date except that such Capital Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities") will not be subject to (i) the transfer restrictions under the Securities Act contained in the series of Capital Securities issued on the Closing Date (except Capital Securities issued pursuant to a Private Exchange (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), which may be subject to such restrictions, but which shall be deemed to be of the same series as the Exchange Capital Securities), (ii) the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction set forth in Section 9.2(n) of the Declaration or (iii) any increase in the Distribution rate thereon under the Registration Rights Agreement. The certificates evidencing the Capital Securities to be issued on the Closing Date shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Capital Securities are listed or quoted. (b) Common Securities. Three thousand four hundred three (3,403) Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate Liquidation Amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of three million four hundred three thousand U.S. dollars ($3,403,000) and a Liquidation Amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "8.82% Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. I-1 73 2. Distributions. (a) Subject to Section 9 hereof, Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of 8.82% (the "Coupon Rate") of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Security (the "Liquidation Amount"), such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions not due during an Extension Period (including the first semi-annual period during such period) in arrears for more than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions," as used herein, includes distributions of any such interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any) unless otherwise stated but does not include Additional Sums. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds on hand legally available therefor. (b) Subject to Section 9 hereof, Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no Distributions have been paid, from January 31, 1997, and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 1997, except as otherwise described below. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each date on which Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Debentures. Upon any such election, Distributions will be deferred during such Extension Period. Notwithstanding such deferral, Distributions to which Holders of Securities are entitled shall continue to accumulate additional Distributions thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law but not at a rate greater than the rate at which interest is then accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Dates during any such Extension Period. Prior to the expiration of any Extension Period and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indebenture, the Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Debentures. Upon the expiration of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Subject to Section 9 hereof, Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the fifteenth day preceding the relevant Distribution Date. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the I-2 74 Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Capital Securities will be made as follows: (i) if the Capital Securities are held in global form by a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), in accordance with the procedures of the Clearing Agency; and (ii) if the Capital Securities are held in definitive form, by check mailed to the address of the Holder thereof as reflected in the records of the Registrar unless otherwise agreed by the Trust. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same as the record dates for the Capital Securities. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Date will cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date applicable to the Debentures determined in accordance with the Indenture. (d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis as set forth Section 8 hereof among the Holders of the Securities, except as otherwise required by Section 9 hereof. 3. Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of any dissolution or termination of the Trust, or the Sponsor otherwise gives notice of its election to liquidate the Trust pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(iii) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the Administrative Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, and subject to Section 9 hereof, to the Holders of the Securities a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the Securities, Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount of Debentures to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to a distribution of Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed. If, upon any such liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets on hand legally available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis as set forth in Section 8 hereof among the Holders of the Securities, except as otherwise required by Section 9 hereof. I-3 75 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures on the Stated Maturity thereof or prepayment thereof (in whole or in part) prior thereto in accordance with the terms thereof, the proceeds from such repayment or prepayment shall be simultaneously applied by the Property Trustee (subject to the Property Trustee having received not less than 45 days written notice to the repayment date or prepayment date) to redeem a Like Amount of the Securities at a redemption price equal to (i) in the case of the repayment of the Debentures on the Stated Maturity, the Maturity Redemption Price (as defined below), (ii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the Debentures upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (as defined below) and (iii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the Debentures other than as a result of the occurrence and continuance of a Special Event, the Optional Redemption Price (as defined below). The Maturity Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption Price are referred to collectively as the "Redemption Price." (b) (i) The "Maturity Redemption Price," with respect to a redemption of Securities, shall mean an amount equal to the principal of and accrued interest on the Debentures as of the Stated Maturity thereof. (ii) "Special Event Redemption Price" shall mean a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the Liquidation Amount of Securities to be redeemed or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent (as defined in the Indenture), of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Debentures to February 1, 2007 (the first date on which the Debentures are subject to optional prepayment), discounted to the prepayment date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined in the Indenture), plus, in each case, accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon, if any, to the date of such prepayment. (iii) "Optional Redemption Price" shall mean a price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment. (c) On and from the date fixed by the Administrative Trustees for any distribution of Debentures and liquidation of the Trust and subject to Section 9 hereof: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) each Holder of Securities will receive a registered certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution and (iii) Securities will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in a Like Amount of Debentures, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities, until such Securities are presented to the Administrative Trustee or their agent for cancellation and such Debentures are transferred to the Holders of such Securities. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Securities for all semi-annual Distribution periods that expire on or before the date of redemption. (e) The procedure with respect to redemptions or distributions of Debentures shall be as follows: I-4 76 (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for repayment or prepayment of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated on a Pro Rata basis as set forth in Section 8 hereof among the Holders of Securities, except as otherwise required by Section 9 hereof, it being understood that, in respect of Capital Securities registered in the name of and held of record by a Clearing Agency or its nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to the Clearing Agency and disbursed by such Clearing Agency in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, such notice shall be irrevocable and (A) with respect to Capital Securities registered in the name of or held of record by a Clearing Agency or its nominee, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related maturity or prepayment of the Debentures by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Stated Maturity of the Debentures or the date of prepayment, as the case may be, the Property Trustee or the Paying Agent will pay to the Clearing Agency or its nominee funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to such Capital Securities, and (B) with respect to Capital Securities issued in certificated form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related maturity or prepayment of the Debentures, the Property Trustee or the Paying Agent will pay the relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities against presentation to the Registrar of the certificates therefor. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited with the Property Trustee to pay the Redemption Price (including all unpaid Distributions) with respect to the Securities called for redemption, then immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption date, Distributions will cease to accumulate on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such Securities shall cease to be outstanding. (iv) Payment of accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the redemption date of any Securities will be subject to the rights of Holders of such Securities on the close of business on a regular record date in respect of a Distribution Date occurring on or prior to such Redemption Date. (v) Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of (A) any Securities beginning on the opening of business 15 days I-5 77 before the day of mailing of a Redemption/Distribution Notice or (B) any Securities selected for redemption (except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed). If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Property Trustee or the Paying Agent or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, or the date fixed for redemption, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accumulate from such redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price. (vi) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. 5. Voting Rights - Capital Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 hereof and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights. (b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Trust Securities, the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each Holder of the Capital Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect there is no more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a trust subject to the provisions of Sections 671 through 679 of the Code (a "grantor trust") on account of such action. The foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be in lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and (B) of the Trust Indenture Act, and such Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and (B) are hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement. (c) If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on any due date (including any Interest Payment Date or prepayment date or Stated Maturity of the Debenture), then a Holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or I-6 78 interest on a Like Amount of Debentures (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common Securities Holders will be subrogated to the rights of the Holder of Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to the Holders of Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second preceding sentence, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (d) Any required approval of Holders of Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consent. (e) No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. (f) Notwithstanding that Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. (g) If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. In no event will the Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration. 6. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c), and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by the Holder of the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration. (c) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Trust Securities, the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or execute any trust or I-7 79 power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Common Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each Holder of the Common Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Common Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Common Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders of the Common Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect there is no more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust would not be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a trust subject to the provisions of Sections 671 through 679 of the Code (a "grantor trust") on account of such action. The foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c) shall be in lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and (B) of the Trust Indenture Act, and such Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and (B) are hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement. (d) If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on the due date (including any Interest Payment Date or prepayment date or Stated Maturity of the Debenture), then a Holder of Common Securities may institute a Direct Action for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on a Like Amount of Debentures on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common Securities Holders will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to Holders of Common Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second preceding sentence, the Holders of Common Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (e) Any required approval of Holders of Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. (f) No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. I-8 80 7. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. In addition to the requirements set out in Section 12.1 of the Declaration, the Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other provisions, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Declaration which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Declaration, (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) to qualify or maintain qualification of the Declaration under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in each case, such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Holder of Securities. Any amendments of the Declaration pursuant to the foregoing shall become effective when notice thereof is sent to the Holders of the Securities. The Declaration also may be amended by the Trustees and the Sponsor as the Holder of all the outstanding Common Securities (i) with the consent of Holders representing a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Securities and (ii) upon receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act; provided that, without the consent of each Holder of Securities, the Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder of Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date. 8. Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder of Securities according to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities pro rata according to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all Common Securities outstanding. I-9 81 9. Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with the Common Securities and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities, except that, if an Event of Default under the Declaration occurs and is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution and other payments to which they are entitled at such time. 10. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Capital Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. 11. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 12. Additional Interest. If the Debenture Issuer fails to comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) or the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) fails to become effective, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Debentures affected thereby, and additional Distributions shall accumulate on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities affected thereby, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum as more fully set forth in Article XIV of the Declaration. 13. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business. I-10 82 EXHIBIT D (to Exhibit 4.5) EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE [FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY] [IF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY, INSERT: THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.] [IF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT: UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] A1-1 83 THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT EITHER (A) IS NOT A PLAN SUBJECT TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, AND IS NOT PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES (OR INTEREST THEREIN) ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY SUCH PLAN OR (B) IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14. THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. A1-2 84 Certificate No. _________ No. of Capital Securities ________ CUSIP NO. _______________ Certificate Evidencing Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities of TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ___________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of __________________ Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust designated the 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed, in proper form for transfer and otherwise complying with the terms and conditions of the Declaration (as hereinafter defined). The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented hereby are set forth herein, on the reverse hereof and in the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of January 31, 1997, among Trenwick Group Inc., as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions thereof, including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Each capitalized term used but not defined herein or in any legend form or certificate hereon shall have the meaning given it in the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to any Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. By its acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees (i) to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures and (ii) to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. A1-3 85 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate. Dated: ____________, 1997 TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I By:_________________________________________________ [Name] Not in his individual capacity but solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION This is one of the Capital Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Declaration. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Property Trustee By:_________________________________________________ Authorized Officer A1-4 86 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of 8.82% (the "Coupon Rate") of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions not due during an Extension Period (including the first semi-annual period during such period) in arrears for more than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions," as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable (including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any) unless otherwise stated but does not include Additional Sums. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor. Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no Distributions have been paid, from January 31, 1997 and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 1997, except as otherwise described below and in the Declaration. Distributions will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension period (an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable, provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Debentures. Upon any such election, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during the term of the Extension Period. Distributions will continue to accumulate interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but not exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such Extension Period. Before the termination of any such Extension Period, and as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period, provided that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Debentures. Payments of Distributions that have accumulated during any Extension Period will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date for the first scheduled Distribution payment date following the expiration of such Extension Period. Upon the expiration of any Extension Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any additional amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. The Administrative Trustees shall, at the direction of the Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and cause the Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or, simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be redeemed by the Trust. The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. A1-5 87 ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital Security Certificate to: _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number) _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her. Date:_____________________ Signature:________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security Certificate) Signature Guarantee:________________________________ ______________________ * Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A1-6 EX-4.7 6 FORM OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGR 1 EXHIBIT 4.7 TRENWICK GROUP INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF , 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION................................................ 1 SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation........................................ 1 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT.......................................................... 4 SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application...................................... 4 SECTION 2.2 List of Holders of Securities......................................... 4 SECTION 2.3 Reports by Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.............. 4 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee..... 4 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent...................... 5 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver............................................. 5 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice.............................................. 5 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests................................................. 5 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE............................................................................... 5 SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee............................................................... 5 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee....... 7 SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee.................................................. 8 ARTICLE IV EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE................................ 8 SECTION 4.1 Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility............ 8 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee..................................................... 9 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE..................................................................... 9 SECTION 5.1 Guarantee............................................................. 9 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand........................................... 10 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected.............................................. 10 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders..................................................... 10 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment.................................................. 11 SECTION 5.6 Subrogation........................................................... 11 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations............................................... 11 ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTION; SUBORDINATION..................................... 11 SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions............................................ 11 SECTION 6.2 Ranking............................................................... 12 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION................................................................. 12 SECTION 7.1 Termination........................................................... 12 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION............................................................ 12 SECTION 8.1 Exculpation........................................................... 12 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification....................................................... 13 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS................................................................ 13 SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns................................................ 13 SECTION 9.2 Amendments............................................................ 13 SECTION 9.3 Notices............................................................... 14 SECTION 9.4 Benefit............................................................... 15 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law......................................................... 15
-i- 3 EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee"), dated as of , 1997, is executed and delivered by Trenwick Group Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Guarantor"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Exchange Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of January 31, 1997, executed by and among the Trustees (as defined therein) and the Guarantor, as Sponsor, the Issuer issued on January 31, 1997, one hundred ten thousand (110,000) 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (having an aggregate liquidation amount of one hundred ten million U.S. dollars ($110,000,000)) (collectively, the "Old Capital Securities") and in connection with an Exchange Offer (as defined in the Declaration) is executing and delivering this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (collectively, the "Exchange Capital Securities"); and WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders (as defined herein) to exchange their Old Capital Securities for an equal aggregate liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined below). The Guarantor agrees to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and WHEREAS, the Guarantor executed and delivered on January 31, 1997 a guarantee agreement (the "Old Capital Securities Guarantee") with substantially identical terms to this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, for the benefit of the holders of the Old Capital Securities and a guarantee agreement ("Common Securities Guarantee"), with substantially identical terms to this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of Holders of Exchange Capital Securities and the Old Capital Securities to receive Guaranty Payments under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and the Old Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the exchange by each Holder of its Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities, which exchange the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1; (b) Terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee; (c) a term defined anywhere in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; 4 (d) all references to "the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee" or "this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee" are to this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (e) all references in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended ("Trust Indenture Act") has the same meaning when used in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Affiliate" has the meaning given to that term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close. "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, until a Successor Exchange Capital Securities GuaranteeTrustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 55 Water Street, Room 234, North Building, New York, New York 10041. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Exchange Capital Securities. "Debentures" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Exchange Debentures" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payments or other obligations under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on Exchange Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, (ii) the applicable Redemption Price (as defined in Annex I to the Declaration) with respect to Exchange Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Exchange Capital Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the Liquidation Distribution (as defined in the Declaration) and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefore at such time. If an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, no guarantee payments under the Common Securities Guarantee with respect to the Common Securities shall be made until the Holders of Exchange Capital Securities and the Old Capital 2 5 Securities shall be paid in full the Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and the Old Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be. "Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Exchange Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of all Exchange Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor. "Indemnified Person" means the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, between the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the Property Trustee. "Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of all Exchange Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Exchange Capital Securities. "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any person, a certificate signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Guarantor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate; (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with. "Other Debentures" means only those junior subordinated debentures issued by the Guarantor from time to time and sold to trusts to be established by the Guarantor (if any), which are in each case similar to the Issuer. "Other Guarantees" means any guarantee now or hereafter to be entered into by the Guarantor in respect to any capital securities or common securities of any trust similar to the Issuer, or of any trustee of such trust, or of a partnership or other entity affiliated with the Guarantor that is a financing vehicle of the Guarantor. "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature. "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, means any officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. 3 6 "Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and if and to the extent that any provision of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 List of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (unless the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the registrar of the Exchange Capital Securities) with a list, in such form as the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within one Business Day after each record date, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time when the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1997, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates). 4 7 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Exchange Capital Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the holders of all of the Exchange Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee known to a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, mail by first class postage prepaid, to all Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities, notices of all defaults actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, except in the case of default in the payment of any Guarantee Payment, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities. (b) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge, of such Event of Default. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (a) This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon acceptance by such Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and succession of title shall be effective whether or not documents have 5 8 been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustees. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. (c) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee against the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. (d) No provision of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, to its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee against the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee; (ii) the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders, of the Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall require the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability 6 9 in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or documents reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. (ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request evidence as to such matter from the Guarantor, which evidence shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof). (v) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advise or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee in the case of an Event of Default. (vii) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. 7 10 (viii) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder. (ix) Any action taken by the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the signature of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee so to act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidence by the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions. (xi) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. (b) No provision of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IV EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be an Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee which shall: (i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at 8 11 least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible so to act under Section 4.1(a), the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default. (b) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Exchange Capital Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. (c) The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without the need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. (e) No Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee all amounts due to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor fully, irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert other than the defense of payment. 9 12 The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Exchange Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Exchange Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Exchange Capital Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution of other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the debentures permitted by the Indenture); (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind; (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer; (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Exchange Capital Securities; (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or (g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or to obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing. SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of the Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Exchange Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this 10 13 Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or any person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 thereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTION; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Exchange Capital Securities remain outstanding, if at any time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that (x) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default and (y) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, or (iii) the Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right to defer payment of interest pursuant to Section 16.01 of the Indenture and any such extension shall be continuing, then the Guarantor shall not; (1) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Guarantor's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock); (2) make any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures; or (3) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the Debentures other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder's rights plan, or 11 14 the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent necessary to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of the Guarantor's capital stock following, a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Guarantor's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor (other than obligations in respect to Other Guarantees), (ii) pari passu with (A) the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor, and (B) with any Other Guarantee, the Old Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock. ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price (as defined in the Declaration) of all Exchange Capital Securities, or (ii) upon liquidation of the Issuer, the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration or the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Exchange Capital Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Exchange Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Exchange Capital Securities or under this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinion, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Exchange Capital Securities might properly be paid. 12 15 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification (a) The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its power or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee. (b) Each Indemnified Person shall give prompt notice to the Guarantor of any action threatened commenced against it in respect of which any indemnity is sought hereunder, enclosing a copy of all papers served on, and notices and demands delivered to, such Indemnified Person, if any, but failure so to notify the Guarantor shall not relieve the Guarantor from any liability which it may have under this Section 8.2, except to the extent that it is materially prejudiced by such failure. The Guarantor shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such action or proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Guarantor. Upon assumption by the Guarantor of the defense of any such action or proceeding, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such action or proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the Guarantor shall not be liable for any legal fees or expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the Guarantor has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the Guarantor shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person in a timely manner, or (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel (who shall not be employed by such Indemnified Person and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantor) that such representation would constitute an actual or potential conflict of interests for counsel selected by the Guarantor. The Guarantor shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action defended by the Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the Indemnified Person, and the Indemnified Person shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action being defended by the Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the Guarantor. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested the Guarantor to reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated above, the Guarantor agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 business days after receipt by the Guarantor of the aforesaid request and (ii) the Guarantor shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities then outstanding. SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Exchange Capital Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities apply to the giving of such approval. 13 16 SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustees at the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as to which the Issuer may give notice to the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities): Trenwick Capital Trust I Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut Attention: Chief Financial Officer Telecopy: (203) 353-5544 with a copy to: Baker & McKenzie 805 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 Attention: James R. Cameron, Esq. Telecopy: (212) 759-9133 (b) If given to the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as to which the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may give notice to the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities); The Chase Manhattan Bank 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration Telecopy: (212) 638-7380 (c) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as to which the Guarantor may give notice to the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities): Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer Vice President - Legal Affairs and Secretary Telecopy: (203) 353-5544 (d) If given to any Holder of Exchange Capital Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal. 14 17 SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Exchange Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Exchange Capital Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. THIS EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. TRENWICK GROUP INC., as Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee By: ------------------------------------ Name: Title: 15 EX-4.8 7 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT 1 Exhibit 4.8 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Dated as of January 31, 1997 among TRENWICK GROUP INC. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I and LEHMAN BROTHERS INC. as Initial Purchaser 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- 1. Definitions................................................................................... 1 2. Registration Under the Securities Act......................................................... 5 (a) Exchange Offer....................................................................... 5 (b) Shelf Registration................................................................... 8 (c) Expenses............................................................................. 9 (d) Effective Registration Statement..................................................... 9 (e) Additional Interest.................................................................. 9 (f) Specific Enforcement................................................................. 10 3. Registration Procedures....................................................................... 11 4. Indemnification and Contribution.............................................................. 18 5. Participation in Underwritten Registrations................................................... 21 6. Selection of Underwriters..................................................................... 21 7. Miscellaneous................................................................................. 21 (a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A............................................................... 21 (b) No Inconsistent Agreements........................................................... 22 (c) Amendments and Waivers............................................................... 22 (d) Notices.............................................................................. 22 (e) Successors and Assigns............................................................... 23 (f) Third Party Beneficiary.............................................................. 23 (g) Counterparts......................................................................... 23 (h) Headings............................................................................. 23 (i) GOVERNING LAW........................................................................ 23 (j) Severability......................................................................... 23 (k) Securities Held by the Company, the Trust or its Affiliates.......................... 23
i 3 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of January 31, 1997 among TRENWICK GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I, a business trust formed under the laws of the state of Delaware (the "Trust"), and LEHMAN BROTHERS INC. ("Lehman Brothers" or the "Initial Purchaser"). This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated January 28, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Company, as issuer of the 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 (the "Subordinated Debentures"), the Trust and the Initial Purchaser, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Trust to the Initial Purchaser of 110,000 of the Trust's 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities, liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security (the "Capital Securities"), the proceeds of which will be used by the Trust to purchase Subordinated Debentures. The Capital Securities, together with the Subordinated Debentures and the Company's guarantee of the Capital Securities (the "Capital Securities Guarantee"), are collectively referred to as the "Securities". In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Trust have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchaser and its direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement. In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings: "Additional Interest" shall mean the additional amounts which shall become payable in respect of the Subordinated Debentures if the Company or the Trust fails to comply with the Agreement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement fails to become effective. "Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of Section 3 hereof. "Applicable Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(t) hereof. "Business Day" shall mean a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed. "Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement. "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and also includes the Company's successors and permitted assigns. "Declaration" or "Declaration of Trust" shall mean the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of January 31, 1997, by the trustees named therein and the 4 Company as sponsor, as the same may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. "Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other depositary appointed by the Trust; provided, however, that such depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York. "Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. "Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer by the Company and the Trust to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities) for a like principal amount of Exchange Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof. "Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof. "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein. "Exchange Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof. "Exchange Securities" shall mean (i) with respect to the Subordinated Debentures, the 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 which are to be offered in exchange for the Subordinated Debentures (the "Exchange Debentures") and which will contain terms identical to the Subordinated Debentures (except that they will not contain terms with respect to the transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, will not require transfers thereof to be in minimum blocks of $100,000 principal amount and will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon), (ii) with respect to the Capital Securities, the Trust's 8.82% Capital Securities, liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security, which are to be offered in exchange for the Capital Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities") and which will have terms identical to the Capital Securities (except they will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, will not require minimum transfers thereof to be in blocks of $100,000 liquidation amount and will not provide for any increase in the distribution rate thereon) and (iii) with respect to the Capital Securities Guarantee, the Company's guarantee (the "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee") of the Exchange Capital Securities which will have terms identical to the Capital Securities Guarantee. Exchange Securities include, where applicable, the Private Exchange Securities. "Extension Period" shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture. "Holder" shall mean the Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any Registrable Securities, and each of its respective successors, assigns and direct and indirect 2 5 transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture or Declaration of Trust. "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Debentures dated as of January 31, 1997 among the Company, as issuer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, as the same may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. "Initial Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. "Inspectors" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof. "Issue Date" shall mean January 31, 1997. "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of outstanding Capital Securities. "Offering Memorandum" means the Offering Memorandum dated January 28, 1997 relating to the Securities. "Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(t) hereof. "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, limited liability Company, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof. "Private Exchange" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof. "Private Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof. "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein. "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. "Records" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof. "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities and, if issued, the Private Exchange Securities; provided, however, that Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities or Private Exchange Securities for the exchange or resale thereof, as 3 6 the case may be, shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, may be sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act, (iii) such Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have ceased to be outstanding or (iv) with respect to the Securities, such Securities have been exchanged for Exchange Securities upon consummation of the Exchange Offer and are thereafter freely transferrable by the holders thereof (other than an affiliate of the Company as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act). "Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel) that is required to be retained by any Holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities) and compliance with the rules of the NASD, (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing, printing and distributing any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent auditors of the Company, including the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, and any exchange agent or custodian, (vii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of any of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or exchanges, and (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any Registration Statement. "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Trust which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein. "Rule 144(k) Period" shall mean the period of three years (or such shorter period as may hereafter be referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or similar successor rule)) commencing on the Issue Date. "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. 4 7 "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time. "Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof. "Shelf Registration Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. "Shelf Registration Event Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration statement of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein. "TIA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(1) hereof. "Trustees" shall mean any and all trustees with respect to (i) the Capital Securities under the Declaration, (ii) the Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture and (iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee. 2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) Exchange Offer. To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the Trust shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's cost, use its best efforts to (i) cause to be filed with the SEC within 150 days after the date of the Offering Memorandum an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act covering the Exchange Offer, (ii) cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC not later than the date which is 180 days after the date of the Offering Memorandum, and (iii) keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for a like principal amount of Exchange Debentures or a like liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities, together with the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, as applicable (assuming that such Holder (A) is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act and is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Company for its own account, (B) acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and (C) has no arrangements or understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities), to transfer such Exchange Securities from 5 8 and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and under state securities or blue sky laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the Company and the Trust may, in lieu of filing an Exchange Offer Registration Statement and consummating the Exchange Offer, file a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof, if the Company has received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of the consummation of the Exchange Offer there is more than an insubstantial risk that (x) the Trust would be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures or Exchanges Debentures, (y) interest payable by the Company on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or Exchange Debentures would not be deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (z) the Trust would be subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges. In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust shall: (i) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents; (ii) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less than 30 days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the "Exchange Period"); (iii) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer: (iv) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day of the Exchange Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged; (v) notify each Holder that any Security not tendered by such Holder in the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest or accumulate distributions, as the case may be, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchaser and Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and (vi) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer. If the Initial Purchaser determines upon advice of its outside counsel that it is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, as soon as practicable upon receipt by the Company and the Trust of a written request from such Initial Purchaser, the Company and the Trust, as applicable, shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for the Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like liquidation amount of Capital Securities of the Trust, together with the Exchange Capital 6 9 Securities Guarantee, or a like principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures of the Company, as applicable, that are identical (except that such securities may bear a customary legend with respect to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act) to the Exchange Securities (the "Private Exchange Securities") and which are issued pursuant to the Indenture or the Declaration or the agreement pursuant to which the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee is issued (which provides that the Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Securities will vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that neither the Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities nor the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate series or class on any matter). The Private Exchange Securities shall be of the same series as the Exchange Securities and the Company and the Trust will seek to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP Numbers for the Private Exchange Securities as for the Exchange Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer. As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, the Company and the Trust, as the case requires, shall: (i) accept for exchange all Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange; (ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company; and (iii) issue, and cause the Trustee under the Indenture, the Declaration or the Capital Securities Guarantee, as applicable, promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder, new Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as applicable, equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures or equal in liquidation amount to the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities (together with the guarantee thereof) as are surrendered by such Holder. Distributions on each Exchange Capital Security and interest on each Exchange Debenture and Private Exchange Security issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last date on which a distribution or interest was paid on the Capital Security or the Subordinated Debenture surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no distribution or interest has been paid on such Capital Security or Subordinated Debenture, from the Issue Date. To the extent not prohibited by any law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above, and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC. Each Holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to exchange such Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain customary representations in connection therewith, including, in the case of any Holder of Capital Securities, representations that (i) it is not an affiliate of the Trust or the Company, (ii) the Exchange Securities to be received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of its business and (iii) at the time of the Exchange Offer, it has no arrangement with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Capital Securities. The Company and the Trust shall inform the Initial Purchaser, after 7 10 consultation with the Trustee, of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchaser shall have the right to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2(a), the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Securities and Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Company and the Trust shall have no further obligation to register the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities) pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement. (b) Shelf Registration. In the event that (i) the Company, the Trust or the Majority Holders reasonably determine, after conferring with counsel (which may be in-house counsel), that the Exchange Offer Registration provided in Section 2(a) above is not available because of any change in law or in currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the Company has received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a result of the consummation of the Exchange Offer there is more than an insubstantial risk that (x) the Trust would be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures or Exchanges Debentures, (y) interest payable by the Company on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or Exchange Debentures would not be deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (z) the Trust would be subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges, and the Company determines not to effect the Exchange Offer, (iii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days of the date of the Offering Memorandum or (iv) upon the request of the Initial Purchaser with respect to any Registrable Securities held by it, if such Initial Purchaser is not permitted, in the reasonable opinion of Dewey Ballantine, pursuant to applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC, to participate in the Exchange Offer and thereby receive securities that are freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act and applicable blue sky or state securities laws (any of the events specified in (i)-(iv) being a "Shelf Registration Event" and the date of occurrence thereof, the "Shelf Registration Event Date"), the Company and the Trust shall, at their cost, use their best efforts to cause to be filed as promptly as practicable after such Shelf Registration Event Date, as the case may be, and, in any event, within 45 days after such Shelf Registration Event Date (which shall be not be required to be earlier than 150 days after the Issue Date), a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities, and shall use its best efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable. No Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder and furnishes to the Company and the Trust in writing, within 15 days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company and the Trust may, after conferring with counsel with regard to information relating to Holders that would be required by the SEC to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, reasonably request for inclusion in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish to the Company and the Trust all information with respect to such Holder necessary to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading. 8 11 The Company and the Trust agree to use their best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for the Rule 144(k) Period (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3 hereof) or for such shorter period which will terminate when all of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or cease to be outstanding or, if the Shelf Registration Statement is filed solely as a result of a request made in accordance with clause (iv) of the preceding paragraph, if the Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchaser an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchaser to the effect that registration is no longer necessary for resale by the Initial Purchaser (the "Effectiveness Period"). The Company and the Trust shall not permit any securities other than Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration. The Company and the Trust will, in the event a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, provide to each Holder participating in the Shelf Registration Statement a reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement, notify each such Holder when the Shelf Registration has become effective and use its best efforts to take certain other actions as are required to permit certain unrestricted resales of the Registrable Securities. The Company and the Trust further agree, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registrations, and the Company and the Trust agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC. (c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof and will reimburse the Initial Purchaser for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Dewey Ballantine, counsel for the Initial Purchaser, incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, and either Dewey Ballantine or any one other counsel designated in writing by the Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, which other counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Except as provided herein, each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel, underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. (d) Effective Registration Statement. An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume. The Company and the Trust will be deemed not to have used their best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite period if either of them voluntarily takes any action that would result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of Registrable Securities 9 12 covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period unless such action is required by applicable law. (e) Additional Interest. In the event that (i)(A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is filed with the SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum or (B) notwithstanding that the Company and the Trust have consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to the date required by Section 2(b) hereof, then commencing on the day after either such required filing date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and additional distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or (ii) (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum or (B) notwithstanding that the Company and the Trust have consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum then, commencing on the 181st day after the date of the Offering Memorandum, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and additional distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or (iii) (A) the Trust has not exchanged Exchange Capital Securities for all Capital Securities validly tendered, or the Company has not exchanged the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee for the Capital Securities Guarantee or exchanged all the Exchange Subordinated Debentures for Subordinated Debentures validly tendered, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the expiration of the Rule 144(k) Period (other than after such time as all Capital Securities have been disposed of thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities), then Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, and additional distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities affected thereby, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum commencing on (x) the 31st day after such effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above; provided, however, that neither the Additional Interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures, nor the additional distribution rate on the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, may exceed in the aggregate 0.25% per annum; provided, further, however, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (ii) above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Capital Securities, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee and Exchange Subordinated Debentures for all Capital Securities, the Capital Securities Guarantee and all Subordinated Debentures validly tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) above), or upon the 10 13 effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above), Additional Interest on the Subordinated Debentures, and additional distributions on the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue or accumulate, as the case may be. Any amounts of Additional Interest and additional distributions due pursuant to Section 2(e)(i), (ii) or (iii) above will be payable in cash on the relevant record dates for the payment of interest and Distributions pursuant to the Indenture and the Declaration respectively; provided, however, that the payment of such amounts may be deferred during any Extension Period. (f) Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to the Holders, the Company and the Trust acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Trust to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's and the Trust's obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof. 3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of the Company and the Trust with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to: (a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof within the relevant time period specified in Section 2 hereof on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company and the Trust, (ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof; provided, however, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 2(b), or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities, then before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company and the Trust shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed. The Company and the Trust shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must be afforded an opportunity to review prior to the filing of such document if the Majority Holders or such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object; 11 14 (b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented, if so determined by the Company or the Trust or requested by the SEC, by any required prospectus supplement and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be, in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof described in this Agreement (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer); (c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, at least three Business Days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holder that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in accordance with the method selected by the Majority Holders; and (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii) consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto; (d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities shall reasonably request in writing sufficiently in advance of such date of effectiveness, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder and underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company and the Trust shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject to such service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not then so subject; (e) in the case of (1) a Shelf Registration or (2) Participating Broker-Dealers from whom the Company or the Trust has received prior written notice that they will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration 12 15 Statement as provided in Section 3(t) hereof and who are seeking to sell Exchange Securities and are required to deliver Prospectuses, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, or such Participating Broker-Dealers, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly and promptly confirm such notice in writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be offered or sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer in any jurisdiction described in paragraph 3(d) hereof or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Trust contained in any purchase agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any event or the failure of any event to occur or the discovery of any facts, during the Effectiveness Period, which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes such Registration Statement or Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Company and the Trust's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate; (f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment; (g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities included within the coverage of such Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement relating to such Shelf Registration and any post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested); (h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture and the Declaration) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement; (i) in the case of a Shelf Registration or an Exchange Offer Registration, upon the occurrence of any circumstance contemplated by Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, use its best efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as 13 16 thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; and to notify each Holder to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and each Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission; (j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide a reasonable number of copies of such document to the Holders; and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Trust as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser on behalf of such Holders available for discussion of such document; (k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Capital Securities and the Capital Securities (and if the Trust has made a distribution of the Subordinated Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities, the Subordinated Debentures or the Exchange Subordinated Debentures) as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Exchange Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary; (l) cause the Indenture, the Declaration, the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "TIA") in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, and effect such changes to such documents as may be required for them to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause the relevant trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such documents to be so qualified in a timely manner; (m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if requested by (x) the Initial Purchaser, in the case where the Initial Purchaser holds Securities acquired by it as part of its initial distribution or (y) Majority Holders of Securities covered thereby, (i) enter into such agreements (including underwriting agreements) as are customary in underwritten offerings and take all such other appropriate actions as are reasonably requested in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Securities; (ii) make such representations and warranties to Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters (if any), with respect to the business of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries as then conducted and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested; (iii) in the case of an underwritten offering in connection with the Shelf Registration, obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Trust and updates thereof (which may be in the form of a reliance letter) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to 14 17 the managing underwriters and the Majority Holders of Securities being sold, addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to customary qualifications and exceptions); (iv) in the case of an underwritten offering in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters from the independent auditors of the Company and the Trust (and, if necessary, any other independent auditors of any subsidiary of the Company and the Trust or of any business acquired by the Company and the Trust for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings and such other matters as are reasonably requested by such underwriters in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and (v) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 4 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to the Company and Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section (including, without limitation, such underwriters and selling Holders). The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder; (n) if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 2(b) or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, make reasonably available for inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Securities being sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all relevant information in each case reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall be conducted on behalf of the Initial Purchaser by itself and Dewey Ballantine and on behalf of all other selling Holders by one counsel selected in accordance with Section 2(c) hereof. Records which the Company and the Trust determine, in good faith, to be confidential and any records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of 15 18 competent jurisdiction or is necessary in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or (iii) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree in writing that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Trust or the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public by the Company. Each such Holder of such Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree in writing that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential; (o) as soon as practicable after the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company beginning after the effective date of a Registration Statement, but in any event not later than the earliest required filing date by the Company of a Form 10-K after the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company during which the effective date of a Registration Statement occurs, to make generally available to its securityholders earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act covering such 12-month period; (p) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, if requested by a Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, and which includes an opinion that (i) the Company and the Trust, as the case requires, has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities, and (ii) each of the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or the Trust, as the case requires, enforceable against the Company or the Trust, as the case requires, in accordance with its respective terms (in each case, with customary exceptions); (q) if an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Company or the Trust, as applicable (or to such other Person as may be directed by the Company or the Trust), in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company or the Trust, as applicable, shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities delivered by such Holders that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be; (r) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD; (s) use its best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby; 16 19 (t) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution," which section shall be reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchaser or another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer") that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchaser or such other representative, represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC, including a statement that any such broker-dealer who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the notice referred to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request (each of the Company and the Trust hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto), (iii) use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements under the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3 hereof) (the "Applicable Period"), and (iv) include in the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision: "If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer"; and (y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and 17 20 (B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust agree to deliver to the Initial Purchaser or to another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, if requested by such Initial Purchaser or such other representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, on behalf of the Participating Broker-Dealers upon consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser or such other representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in connection with Exchange Offer Registration Statements and such other matters as may be reasonably requested (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to customary qualifications and exceptions), (ii) an officers' certificate containing certifications substantially similar to those set forth in Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement and such additional certifications as are customarily delivered in a public offering of debt securities and (iii) as well as upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a comfort letter, in each case, in customary form if permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72. The Company or the Trust may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company or the Trust, as applicable, such information regarding such seller as may be required by the staff of the SEC to be included in a Registration Statement. The Company or the Trust may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. The Company shall have no obligation to register under the Securities Act the Registrable Securities of a seller who so fails to furnish such information. In the case of (1) a Shelf Registration Statement or (2) Participating Broker-Dealers who have notified the Company and the Trust that they will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in Section 3(t) hereof and who are seeking to sell Exchange Securities and are required to deliver Prospectuses, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company or the Trust of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company and the Trust that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, if so directed by the Company and the Trust, such Holder will deliver to the Company or the Trust (at the Company's or the Trust's expense, as the case requires) all copies in such Holder's possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, current at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company or the Trust shall give any such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to file and have declared effective (if an amendment) as soon as practicable an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days in the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Company and the Trust shall have 18 21 made available to the Holders (x) copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions or (y) the Advice. 4. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) In connection with any Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser, each Holder who participates in an offering of Registrable Securities, each underwriter who participates in an offering of the Registrable Securities, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person, if any, who controls any of such parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, as follows: (i) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), covering Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ii) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, if such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company; and (iii) from and against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by such Holder, such Participating Broker-Dealer, or any underwriter (except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in Section 4(c) hereof)), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 4(a); provided, however, that (i) this indemnity does not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the Company or the Trust by such Holder, such Participating Broker-Dealer or any underwriter with respect to such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or any underwriter, as the case may be, expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) and (ii) the Company and the Trust shall not be liable to any such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling person, with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue 19 22 statement or omission or alleged omission in any preliminary Prospectus to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of any Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling person results from the fact that such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, underwriter or controlling person sold Securities to a Person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented if the Company had previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, underwriter or controlling person and the loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, underwriter or controlling person results from an untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in the preliminary Prospectus which was corrected in the final Prospectus. Any amounts advanced by the Company or the Trust to an indemnified party pursuant to this Section 4 as a result of such losses shall be returned to the Company or the Trust if it shall be finally determined by such a court in a judgment not subject to appeal or final review that such indemnified party was not entitled to indemnification by the Company or the Trust. (b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Trust, any underwriter and the other selling Holders and each of their respective directors, officers (including each officer of the Company and the Trust who signed the Registration Statement), employees, trustees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Trust, any underwriter or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by such selling Holder with respect to such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement. (c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to each indemnifying party of any action threatened or commenced against it in respect of which any indemnity is sought hereunder, enclosing a copy of all papers served on, and notices and demands delivered to, such indemnified party, if any, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may have under this Section 4, except to the extent that it is materially prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such action or proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party who shall not, except with the consent of such indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party. Upon assumption by the indemnifying party of the defense of any such action or proceeding, the indemnified party shall have the right to participate in such action or proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the indemnifying party shall not be liable for any legal fees or expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party in a timely manner, or (iii) the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel (who shall not be employed by such 20 23 indemnified party and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party) that such representation would constitute an actual or potential conflict of interests for counsel selected by the indemnifying party or that the indemnified party shall have significant separate defenses available to it or them. The indemnifying party shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the indemnified party, and the indemnified party shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement of any action being defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with the foregoing without the prior consent of the indemnifying party. (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances under which any of the indemnity provisions set forth in this Section 4 is for any reason held to be unavailable to the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company, the Trust and the Holders shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the Company, the Trust and the Holders, as incurred; provided that no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person that was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. As between the Company, the Trust and the Holders, such parties shall contribute to such aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and Trust, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Trust, on the one hand, and of the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Trust, on the one hand, or by or on behalf of the Holders, on the other, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Trust and the Holders of the Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 4, each affiliate of a Holder, and each director, officer, employee, agent and Person, if any, who controls a Holder or such affiliate within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution from the Trust or the Company, as the case may be, as such Holder, and each director of each of the Company and the Trust, each officer of each of the Company and the Trust who signed the Registration Statement, and each Person, if any, who controls each of the Company and the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution from the Holders as each of the Company or the Trust. 5. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements provided for herein and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. 21 24 6. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell the securities covered by such Shelf Registration in an underwritten offering. In any such underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or managers that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such underwriters and managers must be satisfactory to the Company and the Trust and any fees of such underwriters and managers must be paid by the Holders. 7. Miscellaneous. (a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the Company or the Trust is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act and any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company and the Trust, as the case may be, will each use its best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, that if it ceases to be so required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (a) make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (b) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, and (c) take such further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company and the Trust will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company or the Trust has not entered into nor will the Company or the Trust on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's or the Trust's other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. (c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Trust have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure; provided no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to the departure with respect to the provisions of Section 4 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder of Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the 22 25 foregoing sentence, (i) this Agreement may be amended, without the consent of any Holder of Registrable Securities, by written agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and Lehman Brothers, to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision of this Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement which shall not be inconsistent with other provisions of this Agreement, (ii) this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers and consents to departures from the provisions hereof may be given, by written agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and Lehman Brothers to the extent that any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent is, in their reasonable judgment, necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law (including any interpretation of the Staff of the SEC) or any change therein and (iii) to the extent any provision of this Agreement relates to the Initial Purchaser, such provision may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from such provisions may be given, by written agreement signed by Lehman Brothers, the Company and the Trust. (d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company or the Trust by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchaser, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company or the Trust, initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture. (e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of the Initial Purchaser, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. (f) Third Party Beneficiary. Each of the Holders shall be a third party beneficiary of the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Trust, on the one 23 26 hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights. (g) Counterparts. This Agreement 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. (h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. (i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby. (k) Securities Held by the Company, the Trust or its Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company, the Trust or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage. 24 27 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. TRENWICK GROUP INC. By: /s/ James F. Billett, Jr. ----------------------------------- James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I By: /s/ Alan L. Hunte ----------------------------------- Alan L. Hunte Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written: LEHMAN BROTHERS INC. By: /s/ James J. Stewart ----------------------------------- James J. Stewart Managing Director EX-5.1 8 OPINION OF BAKER & MCKENZIE 1 EXHIBIT 5.1 June 6, 1997 Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Re: Trenwick Group Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 1997 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration by the Company and Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust") of (i) one hundred ten thousand (110,000) 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) of the Trust (the "Capital Securities"), (ii) $110,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037 (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") to be issued under the Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, and (iii) the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement to be entered into between the Company as guarantor, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Capital Securities Guarantee," together, with the Capital Securities and the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the "Securities"), under the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Registration Statement"). We are familiar with the proceedings of the Company relating to the authorization of the Securities and the Indenture filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. In addition, we have made such further examinations of law and fact as we have deemed appropriate in connection with the opinion hereinafter set forth. Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: (i) The execution and delivery of the Capital Securities Guarantee have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and, when the Capital Securities Guarantee is authorized, executed and delivered by all other parties thereto in accordance with the terms thereof, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (ii) The execution and delivery of the Junior Subordinated Debentures have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Junior Subordinated Debentures, when executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Indenture, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). We express no opinion as to any laws other than the Federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm as set forth under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Very truly yours, /s/ BAKER & MCKENZIE EX-5.2 9 OPINION OF POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON 1 EXHIBIT 5.2 June 6, 1997 To Each of the Persons Listed on Schedule I Attached Hereto RE: TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Trenwick Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust") in connection with the issuance of its 8.82% Subordinated Income Capital Securities(TM) (SKIS(TM)) (the "Capital Securities") and common securities (the "Common Securities") in connection with the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") entered into as of January 31, 1997, by and among Trenwick Group Inc., as Sponsor, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein. Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used herein as defined in the Declaration. For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined only the following documents and have conducted no independent factual investigations of our own: 1. The Certificate of Trust for the Trust, dated as of January 21, 1997 (the "Trust Certificate"), as filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on January 21, 1997; 2 2. The original declaration of trust of the Trust, dated as of January 21, 1997, by and between Trenwick Group Inc., as Sponsor and Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee (the "Original Declaration"); 3. The Declaration; 4. A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated June 6, 1997, obtained from the Secretary of State; and 5. The form of Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed on the date hereof (the "Registration Statement"), including a prospectus with respect to the Trust (the "Prospectus"), relating to, among other things, an Exchange Offer (the "Exchange Offer") involving the 8.82% Exchange Capital Securities of the Trust representing preferred, undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (each, an "Exchange Security" and collectively, the "Exchange Securities" to be offered in exchange for the presently outstanding 8.82% Subordinated Income Capital Securities(TM) (SKIS(TM)) of the Trust (the "Old Securities"), filed by the Sponsor and the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As to certain facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon the representations and warranties contained in the documents examined by us all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects. The documents referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 above are collectively referred to as the "Agreements." Based upon the foregoing, and upon an examination of such questions of law of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a business trust under the Business Trust Act. 2. The Exchange Securities will represent valid, and, subject to the qualifications set forth in number 3 below, 3 fully paid and non-assessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 3. The Holders of Exchange Securities, as beneficial owners of Exchange Securities of the Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except that the Holders of Exchange Securities may be obligated to (a) provide indemnity and/or security in connection with and pay taxes or governmental charges arising from transfers or exchanges of certificates representing Exchange Securities and the issuance of replacement certificates representing Exchange Securities, (b) provide security or indemnity in connection with requests of or directions to the Property Trustee to exercise its rights and powers under the Declaration, and (c) provide indemnity in connection with violations of the Declaration or federal or state securities laws arising from transfers or exchanges of certificates representing Exchange Securities and the issuance of replacement certificates representing Exchange Securities. All of the foregoing opinions contained herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions: a. The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Delaware presently in effect, excluding the securities laws thereof. We have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including, without limitation, federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. b. We have assumed the due execution and delivery by each party listed as a party to each document examined by us. We have assumed further the due authorization by each party thereto (exclusive of the Trust) of each document examined by us, and that each of such parties (exclusive of the Trust) has the full corporate, or trust or banking, power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver and perform each such document. We also have assumed that each of the parties to each of the Agreements (exclusive of the Trust and the Administrative Trustees) is a corporation, bank, national banking association or trust company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions 4 of organization and that the Agreements to which they are a party do not result in the breach of the terms of, and do not contravene their respective constituent documents, any contractual restriction binding on them or any law, rule or regulation applicable to them. In addition, we have assumed the legal capacity of any natural persons who are parties to any of the documents examined by us. c. We have assumed that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all documents submitted to us as copies conform with the originals. d. We have assumed that the Original Declaration and the Declaration collectively, constitute the entire agreement among each of the respective parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation, dissolution and winding up of the Trust and that the Declaration and the Certificate are in full force and effect. e. We have assumed that no event set forth in Article 9 of the Declaration has occurred. f. We have assumed that the Exchange Securities will be issued and exchanged in accordance with the Declaration and the Prospectus. We have further assumed the receipt of each Person to whom a Exchange Security is to be issued by the Trust of a Certificate for such Exchange Security and the exchange by it of an equivalent liquidation amount of Old Securities in accordance with the Declaration and the Prospectus. g. We note that we have not participated in the preparation, and do not assume responsibility for the contents, of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity of Exchange Securities" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and 5 regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Very truly yours, /s/ Potter Anderson & Corroon -------------------------------- 259849 6 SCHEDULE I TRENWICK GROUP INC. EX-8 10 OPINION RE: TAX MATTERS 1 EXHIBIT 8 June 6, 1997 Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Trenwick Capital Trust I Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Re: Trenwick Group Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 1997 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special tax counsel to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, dated January 28, 1997 by and among Lehman Brothers Inc., the Company, and the Trust. We also have acted as special tax counsel to the Company in connection with the registration by the Company and the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of (i) one hundred ten thousand (110,000) 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Exchange Capital Security) of the Trust, (ii) one hundred ten thousand (110,000) 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2037, issued under the Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, and (iii) the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement to be entered into between the Company, as guarantor, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, under the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Registration Statement"). In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and are relying upon, without independent investigation, the representations contained in an Officer's Certificate, dated June 6, 1997. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the discussion set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" is, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary of the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Capital Securities under current law, subject to the qualifications set forth in the Registration Statement to the effect that it does not purport to discuss all possible United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Capital Securities. We assume no obligation to update our opinion. No other opinions are expressed as to any tax consequences under United States federal, state or local or other law relating to, or affecting, the Company, the Trust, any shareholder of the Company or any holder of Trust Securities, as a result of the activities of the Company or the Trust. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm as set forth under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Very truly yours, /s/ BAKER AND MCKENZIE EX-12.1 11 COMPUTAITON OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 1 EXHIBIT 12.1 COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and for the five years ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------- ------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Net income..................... $ 8,764 $33,848 $29,841 $20,282 $23,739 $18,539 Extraordinary loss on debt, net of tax....................... 1,037 -- -- -- -- -- Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes........................ -- -- -- -- -- (1,697) Income tax expense............. 3,080 9,980 8,572 2,753 4,220 2,622 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Pretax earnings................ $12,881 $43,828 $38,413 $23,035 $27,959 $19,464 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges: Interest on borrowed funds and amortization of debt issuance costs........................ 2,507 6,503 6,496 6,469 6,454 1,668 Portion of rental expense which approximates the interest factor....................... $ 83 $ 323 $ 309 $ 316 $ 251 $ 240 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges............ $ 2,590 $ 6,826 $ 6,805 $ 6,785 $ 6,705 $ 1,908 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings (for ratio calculation)................. $15,471 $50,654 $45,218 $29,820 $34,664 $21,372 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges...................... 6.0 7.4 6.6 4.4 5.2 11.2 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" represent net income before extraordinary item plus applicable income taxes, cumulative effect of accounting change and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" include gross interest expense (other than on deposits) and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense. EX-23.1 12 CONSENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE 1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated January 27, 1997, which appears on page 43 of the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders of Trenwick Group Inc., which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedules, which appears on page S-3 of such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus. /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP New York, New York June 6, 1997 EX-24 13 POWER OF ATTORNEY 1 EXHIBIT 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Power of Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By so signing, each of the undersigned, in his capacity as a director of Trenwick Group Inc. (the "Company"), does hereby appoint James F. Billett, Jr. and Alan L. Hunte, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or attorney to execute in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") registering $110,000,000 principal amount of 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities of Trenwick Capital Trust I (the "Capital Securities"), the 8.82% Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of the Company and the Exchange Guarantee of the Company with respect to the Capital Securities, and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in his capacity as a director of the Company, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each of them. Signature Title Date /s/ W. Marston Becker Director May 22, 1997 ------------------- W. Marston Becker /s/ Anthony S. Brown Director May 22, 1997 ------------------- Anthony S. Brown /s/ Neil Dunn Director May 22, 1997 ------------------- Neil Dunn /s/ P. Anthony Jacobs Director May 22, 1997 ------------------- P. Anthony Jacobs 2 /s/ Herbert Palmberger Director May 22, 1997 -------------------- Herbert Palmberger /s/ Joseph D. Sargent Director May 22, 1997 -------------------- Joseph D. Sargent /s/ Frederick D. Watkins Director May 22, 1997 -------------------- Frederick D. Watkins /s/ Stephen R. Wilcox Director May 22, 1997 -------------------- Stephen R. Wilcox EX-25.1 14 FORM T-1 1 Exhibit 25.1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________ THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter) NEW YORK 13-4994650 (State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer if not a national bank) identification No.) 270 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) William H. McDavid General Counsel 270 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017 Tel: (212) 270-2611 (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service) --------------------------------------------- TRENWICK GROUP INC. (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 06-1152790 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification No.) METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06092 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 8.82% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2037 (Title of the indenture securities) 2 GENERAL Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551 Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429. (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. Yes. Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation. None. -2- 3 Item 16. List of Exhibits List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. 1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2. 4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 5. Not applicable. 6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. 8. Not applicable. 9. Not applicable. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 16TH day of MAY, 1997. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By /s/ R. Lorenzen -------------------------- R. Lorenzen Senior Trust Officer - 3 - 4 Exhibit 7 to Form T-1 Bank Call Notice RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2 CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF The Chase Manhattan Bank of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1996, in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
DOLLAR AMOUNTS ASSETS IN MILLIONS Cash and balances due from depository institutions: Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .................................................. $ 11,509 Interest-bearing balances .......................................... 8,457 Securities: ............................................................... Held to maturity securities................................................. 3,128 Available for sale securities............................................... 40,534 Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's: Federal funds sold ................................................. 9,222 Securities purchased under agreements to resell .................... 422 Loans and lease financing receivables: Loans and leases, net of unearned income............................ $133,935 Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses........................... 2,789 Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve .............................. 16 -------- Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve ............................................. 131,130 Trading Assets ............................................................. 49,876 Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)............................................................. 2,877 Other real estate owned .................................................... 290 Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies................................................ 124 Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ........................................................ 2,313 Intangible assets .......................................................... 1,316 Other assets ............................................................... 11,231 -------- TOTAL ASSETS ............................................................... $272,429 ========
- 4 - 5
LIABILITIES Deposits In domestic offices ..................................................... $ 87,006 Noninterest-bearing ..................................................... $ 35,783 Interest-bearing ........................................................ 51,223 -------- In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBF's ............................................................... 73,206 Noninterest-bearing ..................................................... $ 4,347 Interest-bearing ........................................................ 68,859 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's Federal funds purchased ................................................. 14,980 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .......................... 10,125 Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury ........................................ 1,867 Trading liabilities ............................................................. 34,783 Other Borrowed money: With a remaining maturity of one year or less ........................... 14,639 With a remaining maturity of more than one year ......................... 425 Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases .................................................................. 40 Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding 2,267 Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................... 5,471 Other liabilities ............................................................... 11,343 TOTAL LIABILITIES ............................................................... 256,152 -------- Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus................................. 550 EQUITY CAPITAL Common stock .................................................................... 1,251 Surplus ......................................................................... 10,243 Undivided profits and capital reserves .......................................... 4,526 Net unrealized holding gains (Losses) on available-for-sale securities ................................................ (309) Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ............................. 16 TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL ............................................................ 15,727 -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL ................................................ $272,429 ========
I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct. WALTER V. SHIPLEY ) EDWARD D. MILLER )DIRECTORS THOMAS G. LABRECQUE ) - 5 - EX-25.2 15 FORM T-1 1 Exhibit 25.2 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________ THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter) NEW YORK 13-4994650 (State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer if not a national bank) identification No.) 270 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) William H. McDavid General Counsel 270 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017 Tel: (212) 270-2611 (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service) TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 06-6442139 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification No.) METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06092 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) CAPITAL SECURITIES (Title of the indenture securities) 2 GENERAL Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551 Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429. (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. Yes. Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation. None. - 2 - 3 Item 16. List of Exhibits List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. 1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2. 4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 5. Not applicable. 6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. 8. Not applicable. 9. Not applicable. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 16TH day of MAY, 1997. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By /s/ R. Lorenzen ----------------------- R. Lorenzen Senior Trust Officer - 3 - 4 Exhibit 7 to Form T-1 Bank Call Notice RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2 CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF The Chase Manhattan Bank of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1996, in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
DOLLAR AMOUNTS ASSETS IN MILLIONS Cash and balances due from depository institutions: Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .................................................. $ 11,509 Interest-bearing balances .......................................... 8,457 Securities: ............................................................... Held to maturity securities................................................. 3,128 Available for sale securities............................................... 40,534 Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's: Federal funds sold ................................................. 9,222 Securities purchased under agreements to resell .................... 422 Loans and lease financing receivables: Loans and leases, net of unearned income............................ $133,935 Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses........................... 2,789 Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve .............................. 16 -------- Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve ............................................. 131,130 Trading Assets ............................................................. 49,876 Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)............................................................. 2,877 Other real estate owned .................................................... 290 Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies................................................ 124 Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ........................................................ 2,313 Intangible assets .......................................................... 1,316 Other assets ............................................................... 11,231 -------- TOTAL ASSETS ............................................................... $272,429 ========
- 4 - 5
LIABILITIES Deposits In domestic offices .................................................... $ 87,006 Noninterest-bearing .................................................... $ 35,783 Interest-bearing ....................................................... 51,223 -------- In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBF's .............................................................. 73,206 Noninterest-bearing .................................................... $ 4,347 Interest-bearing ....................................................... 68,859 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's Federal funds purchased ................................................ 14,980 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ......................... 10,125 Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury ....................................... 1,867 Trading liabilities ............................................................ 34,783 Other Borrowed money: With a remaining maturity of one year or less .......................... 14,639 With a remaining maturity of more than one year ........................ 425 Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases ................................................................. 40 Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding 2,267 Subordinated notes and debentures .............................................. 5,471 Other liabilities .............................................................. 11,343 TOTAL LIABILITIES .............................................................. 256,152 -------- Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus 550 EQUITY CAPITAL Common stock ................................................................... 1,251 Surplus ........................................................................ 10,243 Undivided profits and capital reserves ......................................... 4,526 Net unrealized holding gains (Losses) on available-for-sale securities ............................................... (309) Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ............................ 16 TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL ........................................................... 15,727 -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL ............................................... $272,429 ========
I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct. WALTER V. SHIPLEY ) EDWARD D. MILLER )DIRECTORS THOMAS G. LABRECQUE ) - 5 - EX-25.3 16 FORM T-1 1 Exhibit 25.3 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________ THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter) NEW YORK 13-4994650 (State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer if not a national bank) identification No.) 270 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) William H. McDavid General Counsel 270 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017 Tel: (212) 270-2611 (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service) TRENWICK GROUP INC. (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 06-1152790 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification No.) METRO CENTER ONE STATION PLACE STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06092 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I (Title of the indenture securities) 2 GENERAL Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551 Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429. (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. Yes. Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation. None. - 2 - 3 Item 16. List of Exhibits List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility. 1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2. 4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is incorporated by reference). 5. Not applicable. 6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase Manhattan Bank). 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. 8. Not applicable. 9. Not applicable. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 16TH day of MAY, 1997. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By /s/ R. Lorenzen ----------------------- R. Lorenzen Senior Trust Officer - 3 - 4 Exhibit 7 to Form T-1 Bank Call Notice RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2 CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF The Chase Manhattan Bank of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1996, in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
DOLLAR AMOUNTS ASSETS IN MILLIONS Cash and balances due from depository institutions: Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ................................................. $ 11,509 Interest-bearing balances ......................................... 8,457 Securities: .............................................................. Held to maturity securities................................................ 3,128 Available for sale securities.............................................. 40,534 Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's: Federal funds sold ................................................ 9,222 Securities purchased under agreements to resell ................... 422 Loans and lease financing receivables: Loans and leases, net of unearned income........................... $133,935 Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses.......................... 2,789 Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve ............................. 16 -------- Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve ............................................ 131,130 Trading Assets ............................................................ 49,876 Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)............................................................ 2,877 Other real estate owned ................................................... 290 Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies............................................... 124 Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ....................................................... 2,313 Intangible assets ......................................................... 1,316 Other assets .............................................................. 11,231 ------ TOTAL ASSETS .............................................................. $272,429 =========
- 4 - 5
LIABILITIES Deposits In domestic offices .................................................. $ 87,006 Noninterest-bearing .................................................. $ 35,783 Interest-bearing ..................................................... 51,223 -------- In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBF's ............................................................ 73,206 Noninterest-bearing .................................................. $ 4,347 Interest-bearing ..................................................... 68,859 Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's Federal funds purchased .............................................. 14,980 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ....................... 10,125 Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury ..................................... 1,867 Trading liabilities .......................................................... 34,783 Other Borrowed money: With a remaining maturity of one year or less ........................ 14,639 With a remaining maturity of more than one year ...................... 425 Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases ............................................................... 40 Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding 2,267 Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................ 5,471 Other liabilities ............................................................ 11,343 TOTAL LIABILITIES ............................................................ 256,152 -------- Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus 550 EQUITY CAPITAL Common stock ................................................................. 1,251 Surplus ...................................................................... 10,243 Undivided profits and capital reserves ....................................... 4,526 Net unrealized holding gains (Losses) on available-for-sale securities ............................................. (309) Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .......................... 16 TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL ......................................................... 15,727 -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL ............................................. $272,429 ========
I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct. WALTER V. SHIPLEY ) EDWARD D. MILLER )DIRECTORS THOMAS G. LABRECQUE ) - 5 - EX-99.1 17 FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 1 EXHIBIT 99.1 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I Offer to Exchange its 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended for any and all of its outstanding 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) Pursuant to the Prospectus dated , 1997 ------------------------ THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON JULY , 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. ------------------------ THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand Or Overnight Delivery: The Chase Manhattan Bank 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Attention: Sharon Lewis Confirm by Telephone: (212) 638-0454 Facsimile Transmissions: (Eligible Institutions Only) (212) 638-7380 DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below). This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Capital Securities (as defined below) either if Old Capital Securities are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of Old Capital Securities are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's Message (as defined herein) is not delivered. Holders of Old Capital Securities whose certificates (the "Certificates") for such Old Capital Securities are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis must tender their Old Capital Securities according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. 2 NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IF BLANK, PLEASE PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED OF REGISTERED HOLDER. (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AGGREGATE LIQUIDATION AMOUNT LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL CERTIFICATE OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED NUMBER(S)* SECURITIES (IF LESS THAN ALL)** --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL AMOUNT TENDERED:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Need not be completed by book-entry holders. ** Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 (one Old Capital Security) not withstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. All Old Capital Securities held shall be deemed tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column. See Instruction 4. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 3 (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY) [ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK- ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: Name of Tendering Institution DTC Account Number Transaction Code Number [ ] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: Name of Registered Holder(s) Window Ticket Number (if any) Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery If Guaranteed Delivered is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer: Name of Tendering Institution DTC Account Number Transaction Code Number [ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE. [ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO. Name: Address:
Ladies and Gentlemen: The undersigned hereby tenders to Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), and Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the above described aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated , 1997 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer"). Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Old Capital Securities tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended 3 4 or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Trust all right, title and interest in and to such Old Capital Securities as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Old Capital Securities, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Old Capital Securities to the Company or the Trust together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Trust, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued in exchange for such Old Capital Securities, (ii) present Certificates for such Old Capital Securities for transfer, and to transfer the Old Capital Securities on the books of the Trust, and (iii) receive for the account of the Trust all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Capital Securities, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE, THE TRUST WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. THE UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY THE TRUST OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, SALE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS). THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER. The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Old Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) and the Old Capital Securities that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above. If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Capital Securities will be returned (or, in the case of Old Capital Securities tendered by book-entry transfer, such Old Capital Securities will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Capital Securities pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and in the instructions will, upon the Trust's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Capital Securities, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Trust upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" below the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Capital Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities that such Exchange Capital Securities be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute Certificates representing Old Capital Securities not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below, please deliver Exchange Capital Securities to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature. By tendering Old Capital Securities and executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) the undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) any Exchange Capital Securities to be received by the undersigned are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Exchange Capital Securities to be received in the Exchange Offer, and (iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. By tendering Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and executing this Letter of Transmittal, a holder of Old Capital Securities which is a broker-dealer represents and agrees, consistent with certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission to third parties, that (a) such Old Capital Securities held by the broker-dealer are held only as a nominee, or (b) such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will 4 5 deliver a prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act). THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST HAVE AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES, WHERE SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES, FOR A PERIOD ENDING 90 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN ALL SUCH EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKERDEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR DELIVERING AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUS UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES (OR THE EXCHANGE GUARANTEE OR THE EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS APPLICABLE) PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES (OR THE EXCHANGE GUARANTEE OR THE EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS APPLICABLE) MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES, IT SHALL EXTEND THE 90-DAY PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING BROKERDEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES (OR THE EXCHANGE GUARANTEE OR THE EXCHANGE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS APPLICABLE) MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE. As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the Prospectus in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company or the Trust, or cause the Company or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided above or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent." Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities and the undersigned waives the right to receive any Distribution on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. Accordingly, holders of Exchange Capital Securities as of the record date for the payment of Distributions on August 1, 1997 will be entitled to Distributions accumulated from and including January 31, 1997. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Trust or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable. 5 6 HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6) (NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2) Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Certificates(s) for the Old Capital Securities hereby tendered or on a security position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such opinions of counsel, certificates and other information as may be required by the Trust or the Exchange Agent to comply with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See Instruction 5. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Signature(s) of Holder(s)) Date , 1997 Name(s) (Please Print) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Code(s) and Telephone Number - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s)) GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5) Authorized Signature Name (Please Print) Date , 1997 Capacity or Title Name of Firm Address (Include Zip Code) Area Code(s) and Telephone Number 6 7 SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6) To be completed ONLY if Exchange Capital Securities and/or any Old Capital Securities that are not tendered are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above. Issue: [ ] Exchange Capital Securities to: [ ] Old Capital Securities not tendered to: Name (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) Address - --------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------- (INCLUDE ZIP CODE) - --------------------------------------------------------- (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.) SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6) To be completed ONLY if Exchange Capital Securities and/or any Old Capital Securities that are not tendered are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above, or to the registered holder(s) at an address other than that shown above. Mail: [ ] Exchange Capital Securities to: [ ] Old Capital Securities not tendered to: Name (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) Address - --------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------- (INCLUDE ZIP CODE) - --------------------------------------------------------- (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.) 7 8 INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER 1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered or (b) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith. Timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC (a "book-entry confirmation"), or Certificates as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its addresses set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the DTC participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal (including the representations contained herein) and that the Trust and the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such participant. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital Securities and (i) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Capital Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) whose Old Capital Securities are not immediately available may tender their Old Capital Securities by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing tendered Old Capital Securities, in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three (3) Nasdaq Stock Market trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Old Capital Securities to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer Association. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. Neither the Company nor the Trust will accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender. 8 9 2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if: (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Old Capital Securities) of Old Capital Securities tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or (ii) such Old Capital Securities are tendered for the account of a firm that is an Eligible Institution. In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5. 3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned "Description of Old Capital Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal. 4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Old Capital Securities will be accepted in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. If less than all the Old Capital Securities evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities Tendered." In such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Capital Securities that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will be sent to the holder of the Old Capital Securities, promptly after the Expiration Date, unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are completed. All Old Capital Securities represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Certificates for the Old Capital Securities, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital Securities. If Certificates for the Old Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Old Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Capital Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission on or prior to the Expiration Date. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities." All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Trust, in its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal. 9 10 5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If any of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any tendered Old Capital Securities are registered in different name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of Certificates. If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of such persons' authority to so act. When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Capital Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the Trust or the Exchange Agent may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. 6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Capital Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, or if Exchange Capital Securities are to be sent to someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Certificates for Old Capital Securities not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above maintained at DTC unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are completed. See Instruction 4. 7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company and the Trust will determine, in their sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Capital Securities, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of counsel to the Company and the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders. The Company's and the Trust's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification. 8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee. 9. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus. 10 11 10. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Capital Securities, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of Old Capital Securities for exchange. Neither the Company, the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Capital Securities nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. 11. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s) representing Old Capital Securities have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed. 12. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder. IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE. 11 EX-99.2 18 FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY 1 EXHIBIT 99.2 NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY FOR TENDER OF 8.82% SUBORDINATED CAPITAL INCOME SECURITIES (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY) OF TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO, BY TRENWICK GROUP INC. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i) certificates for the Trust's (as defined below) 8.82% Capital Securities due February 1, 2037 (the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately available, (ii) Old Capital Securities, the Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents cannot be delivered to The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent") on or prior to 5:00 P.M. New York City time, on the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus referred to below) or (iii) the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail, or transmitted by facsimile transmission, to the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus. In addition, to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a completed, signed and dated Letter of Transmittal relating to the Old Capital Securities (or facsimile thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 P.M. New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus. THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand Or Overnight Delivery: 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Attention: Sharon Lewis Confirm by Telephone: (212) 638-0454 Facsimile Transmissions: (Eligible Institutions Only) (212) 638-7380 Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery via facsimile to a number other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery. This notice of guaranteed delivery is not to be used to guaranty signatures. If a signature on a letter of transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal. 2 Ladies and Gentlemen: The undersigned hereby tenders to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and to Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law (the "Trust"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated , 1997 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities." Aggregate Liquidation Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): Amount Tendered: $ * Certificate No(s). Address(es): (if available): Total Liquidation Amount Represented by Old Capital Securities Certificate(s): If Old Capital Securities will be tendered by Signature(s): book-entry transfer, provide the following information: DTC Account Number: Date: Area Code and Telephone Number(s):
THE GUARANTEE ON THE NEXT PAGE MUST BE COMPLETED - --------------- * Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Old Capital Security) notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to any other transfers of Old Capital Securities, of a minimum transfer amount of $100,000 in Liquidation Amount. For purposes of tenders of Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 Liquidation Amount will be waived. 2 3 All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. PLEASE SIGN HERE x x Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Date Authorized Signatory Area Code and Telephone Number: ______________________________
Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities as their name(s) appear(s) on certificates for Old Capital Securities or on a security position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below. Please Print name(s) and address(es) Name(s): Capacity: Address(es):
THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED 3 4 GUARANTEE (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE) The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or learning agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above, either the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depositary Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case together with one or more properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other required documents within three (3) Nasdaq Stock Market trading days after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of Transmittal and the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in a financial loss to the undersigned. - --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Name of Firm Authorized Signature - --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Address Title - --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Zip Code (Please Type or Print) Area Code and Telephone No. Dated:
NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. ACTUAL SURRENDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 4 EX-99.3 19 FORM OF EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT 1 EXHIBIT 99.3 , 1997 EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") The Chase Manhattan Bank 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Ladies and Gentlemen: Trenwick Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), proposes to make an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange its 8.82% Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") for its registered 8.82% Exchange Subordinated Capital Income Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities"). The terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, as currently contemplated are set forth in a prospectus, dated , 1997 (the "Prospectus"), proposed to be distributed to all record holders of the Old Capital Securities. The Old Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities collectively are referred to herein as the "Capital Securities" or the "Securities". The Trust hereby appoints The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange Offer. References hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Trust on or about , 1997. The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus is to be used by the holders of the Old Capital Securities to accept the Exchange Offer, and contains instructions with respect to the delivery of certificates for Old Capital Securities tendered. The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997 or on such later date or time to which the Trust may extend the Exchange Offer (the "Expiration Date"). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust and Trenwick Group Inc. (the "Company") expressly reserve the right to extend the Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the Exchange Offer by given oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice to you before 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the previously scheduled Expiration Date. The Trust and the Company expressly reserve the right to delay, amend or terminate the Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Capital Securities not theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the captions "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer" and "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer". The Trust or the Company will give to you as promptly as practicable oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice of any delay, amendment, termination or nonacceptance. In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act in accordance with the following instructions: 1. You will perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth herein and such duties which are necessarily incidental thereto. 2. You will establish an account with respect to the Old Capital Securities at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two (2) business days after the date of the Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Capital Securities into your account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedure for such transfer. 3. You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal and certificates for Old Capital Securities (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any 2 other documents delivered or mailed to you by or for holders of the Old Capital Securities to ascertain whether: (i) the Letters of Transmittal and any such other documents are duly executed and properly completed in accordance with instructions set forth therein and (ii) the Old Capital Securities have otherwise been properly tendered. In each case where the Letter of Transmittal or any other document has been improperly completed or executed or any of the certificates for Old Capital Securities are not in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in connection with the acceptance of the Exchange Offer exists you will endeavor to inform the presenters of the need for fulfillment of all requirements and to take any other action as may be necessary or advisable to cause such irregularity to be corrected. 4. With the approval of the Chairman of the Board or the Vice President and Treasurer of the Company (such approval, if given orally, promptly to be confirmed in writing) or any other party designed by such officer in writing, you are authorized to waive any irregularities in connection with any tender of Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 5. Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be made only as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and Old Capital Securities shall be considered properly tendered to you only when tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth therein. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph 5 above, Old Capital Securities which the Chairman of the Board or the Vice President and Treasurer of the Company or any other party designated by any such officer in writing shall approve as having been properly tendered shall be considered to be properly tendered (such approval, if given orally, promptly shall be confirmed in writing). 6. You shall advise the Company with respect to any Old Capital Securities delivered subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept its instructions with respect to disposition of such Old Capital Securities. 7. You shall accept tenders: (a) in cases where the Old Capital Securities are registered in two (2) or more names only if signed by all named holders; and (b) in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter of Transmittal) is acting in a fiduciary or a representative capacity only when proper evidence of his or her authority so to act is submitted; and (c) from persons other than the registered holder of Old Capital Securities provided that customary transfer requirements, including any applicable transfer taxes, are fulfilled. You shall accept partial tenders of Old Capital Securities where so indicated and as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates for Old Capital Securities to the transfer agent for split-up and return any indentured Old Capital Securities to the holder (or such other person as may be designated in the Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable after expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. 8. Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer, the Trust will notify you (such notice if given orally, promptly to be confirmed in writing) of its acceptance, promptly after the Expiration Date, of all Old Capital Securities properly tendered and you, on behalf of the Trust, will exchange such Old Capital Securities for Exchange Capital Securities and cause such Old Capital Securities to be cancelled. Delivery of Exchange Capital Securities will be made on behalf of the Trust by you at the rate of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (as defined in the Prospectus) of Exchange Capital Securities for each $1,000 Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital Securities tendered promptly after notice (such notice if given orally, promptly to be confirmed in writing) of acceptance of said Old Capital Securities by the Trust; provided, however, that in all cases, Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by you of certificates for such Old Capital Securities (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantees and any other required document. You shall issue Exchange Capital Securities only in aggregate liquidation amounts of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. -2- 3 9. Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except that, subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. 10. The Trust shall not be required to exchange any Old Capital Securities tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are not met. Notice of any decision by the Trust not to exchange any Old Capital Securities tendered shall be given (such notices if given orally, promptly shall be confirmed in writing) by the Trust or the Company to you. 11. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Trust does not accept for exchange all or part of the Old Capital Securities tendered because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the Prospectus under the captions "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer" and "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or otherwise, you shall as soon as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer return those certificates for unaccepted Old Capital Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry transfer), together with any related required documents and the Letters of Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the persons who deposited them. 12. All certificates for reissued Old Capital Securities, unaccepted Old Capital Securities or for Exchange Capital Securities shall be forwarded by (a) first-class mail, postage pre-paid under a blanket surety bond protecting you and the Trust from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of such certificates or (b) by registered mail insured separately for the replacement value of each of such certificates. 13. You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions, commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or to engage or utilize any persons to solicit tenders. 14. As Exchange Agent hereunder you: (a) will be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any of the certificates or the Old Capital Securities represented thereby deposited with you pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and will not be required to and will make no representation as to the validity, value or genuineness of the Exchange Offer; (b) shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder which might in your reasonable judgment involve any expense or liability, unless you shall have been furnished with reasonable indemnity; (c) shall not be liable to the Trust or the Company for any action taken or omitted by you, or any action suffered by you to be taken or omitted, without negligence, misconduct or bad faith on your part, by reason of or as a result of the administration of your duties hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or by reason of your compliance with the instructions set forth herein or with any written or oral instructions delivered to you pursuant hereto, and may reasonably rely on and shall be protected in acting in good faith in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, facsimile or other document or security delivered to you and reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties; (d) may reasonably act upon any tender, statement, request, comment, agreement or other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution and validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which you shall in good faith reasonably believe to be genuine or to have been signed or represented by a proper person or persons; (e) may rely on and shall be protected in acting upon written notice or oral instructions from any officer of the Company or any trustee of the Trust with respect to the Exchange Offer; -3- 4 (f) shall not advise any person tendering Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to the market value or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old Capital Securities; (g) may consult with counsel and the written advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by you hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon. 15. You shall send to all holders of Old Capital Securities a copy of the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, as defined in the Prospectus, and such other documents (collectively, the "Exchange Offer Documents") as may be furnished by the Trust or the Company to commence the Exchange Offer and take such other action as may from time to time be requested by the Trust or the Company or its counsel (and such other action as you may reasonably deem appropriate) to furnish copies of the Exchange Offer Documents or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the Trust or the Company, to all holders of Old Capital Securities and to all persons requesting such documents and to accept and comply with telephone requests for information relating to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information shall relate only to the procedures for accepting (or withdrawing from) the Exchange Offer. The Company will furnish you with copies of such documents at your request. All other requests for information relating to the Exchange Offer shall be directed to: Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer, Vice President -- Legal Affairs and Secretary. Telephone requests may be directed to (203) 353-5500. 16. You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and promptly thereafter confirm in writing to Jane T. Wiznitzer of the Company, and such other person or persons as the Trust may request in writing, not later than 7:00 p.m., New York City time, each business day, and more frequently if reasonably requested, up to and including the Expiration Date, as to the number of Old Capital Securities which have been tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the items received by you pursuant to this Agreement, separately reporting and giving cumulative totals as to items properly received and items improperly received. In addition, you will also inform, and cooperate in making available to, the Trust or any such other person or persons as the Company requests in writing from time to time prior to the Expiration Date of such other information as it reasonably requests. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, the granting by you to the Company and such person as the Company may request of access to those persons on your staff who are responsible for receiving tenders, in order to ensure that immediately prior to the Expiration Date the Company shall have received information in sufficient detail to enable it to decide whether to extend the Exchange Offer. You shall prepare a final list of all persons whose tenders were accepted, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities tendered and the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities accepted and deliver said list to the Company. 17. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery shall be stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt thereof and shall be preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the period of time you customarily preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of securities. You shall dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus materials in accordance with your customary procedures. 18. You hereby expressly waive any lien, encumbrance or right of set-off whatsoever that you may have with respect to funds deposited with you for the payment of transfer taxes by reasons of amounts, if any, borrowed by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates pursuant to any loan or credit agreement with you or for compensation owed to you hereunder. 19. For services rendered as Exchange Agent hereunder you shall be entitled to such compensation and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto. 20. You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and the other documents associated with the Exchange Offer attached hereto and further acknowledge that you have examined each of them. Any inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the -4- 5 Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and such other forms (as they may be amended from time to time), on the other hand, shall be resolved in favor of the latter two documents, except with respect to the duties, liabilities and indemnification of you as Exchange Agent which shall be controlled by this Agreement. 21. Each of the Trust and the Company, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless in your capacity as Exchange Agent hereunder against any liability, cost or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of or in connection with your appointment as Exchange Agent and the performance of your duties hereunder, including, without limitation, any act, omission, delay or refusal made by you in reasonable reliance upon any signature, endorsement, assignment, certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or other instrument or document reasonably believed by you to be valid, genuine and sufficient and in accepting any tender or effecting any transfer of Old Capital Securities reasonably believed by you in good faith to be authorized, and in delaying or refusing in good faith to accept any tenders or effect any transfer of Old Capital Securities; provided, however, that neither the Trust nor the Company shall be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any loss, liability, cost or expense to the extent arising out of your negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. 22. You shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in a timely manner, to each governmental authority to which any transfer taxes are payable in respect of the exchange of Old Capital Securities your check in the amount of all transfer taxes so payable, and the Company shall reimburse you for the amount of any and all transfer taxes payable in respect of the exchange of Old Capital Securities; provided, however, that you shall reimburse the Trust for amounts refunded to you in respect of your payment of any such transfer taxes, at such time as such refund is received by you. 23. This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state, and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall insure to the benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto. 24. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 25. In case any provision of this Agreement 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. 26. This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be charged. This Agreement may not be modified orally. 27. Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, as its address or telecopy number set forth below: If to the Trust or the Company: Trenwick Group Inc. Metro Center One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Facsimile: (203) 353-5544 Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer -5- 6 If to the Exchange Agent: The Chase Manhattan Bank 55 Water Street, Room 234 North Building New York, New York 10041 Facsimile: (212) 638-7380 Attention: Sharon Lewis 28. Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement shall terminate ninety (90) days follow the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Paragraphs 18, 19 and 21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to the Company any certificates for Old Capital Securities, funds or property (including, without limitation, Letters of Transmittal and any other documents relating to the Exchange Offer) then held by you as Exchange Agent under this Agreement. 29. This Agreement shall be binding and effective as of the date hereof. Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the arrangements herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy. TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I By: -------------------------------------- Name: Title: Administrative Trustee By: -------------------------------------- Name: Title: Administrative Trustee By: -------------------------------------- Name: Title: Administrative Trustee TRENWICK GROUP INC. By: -------------------------------------- James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Accepted as the date first above written: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK By: - -------------------------------------- Name: Title: -6- 7 TRENWICK CAPITAL TRUST I EXCHANGE AGENCY FEE SCHEDULE Flat Fee...................................... Five Thousand U.S. Dollars ($5,000.00)
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses Fees quoted do not include out-of-pocket expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable legal fees and expenses, facsimile, stationary, postage, telephone, overnight courier and messenger costs, all of which shall be paid by the Trust. -7- -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----