-----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, VLMsyKJgiSCSIhJTovhSmAeD7VZLegAXdbV4v9VpXrx8gnbpOi+HP2+bVUmoDkXE aJGnx7UmtxMHlehQyMELaw== 0000089024-09-000432.txt : 20090811 0000089024-09-000432.hdr.sgml : 20090811 20090811171014 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000089024-09-000432 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090811 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090811 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AXA FINANCIAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000888002 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LIFE INSURANCE [6311] IRS NUMBER: 133623351 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11166 FILM NUMBER: 091004528 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10104 BUSINESS PHONE: 2125541234 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10104 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EQUITABLE COMPANIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950721 10-Q 1 e10941.htm Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended    June 30, 2009

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________________ to _________________

Commission File No. 1-11166

AXA Financial, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
13-3623351
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)


1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10104
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


(212) 554-1234
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not applicable
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report.)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes
o  
No
  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
   
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer
x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company  o
 

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

As of August 11, 2009, 436,192,949 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.
 
 

REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT:

Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
 

 
Page 1 of 60
 

 


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS


   
Page
     
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1:
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
·  Consolidated Balance Sheets, June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
4
 
·  Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Three Months and Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30, 2009 and 2008                 
6
 
·  Consolidated Statements of Equity,
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 
8
 
·  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30, 2009 and 2008 
9
 
·  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
11
     
Item 2:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
 
 
Results of Operations (“Management Narrative”)                                                                                                     
49
     
Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk* 
57
     
Item 4(T):
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                        
57
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1:
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                        
58
     
Item 1A:
Risk Factors                                                                                                        
58
     
Item 2:
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds *
58
     
Item 3:
Defaults Upon Senior Securities *   
58
     
Item 4:
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders *
58
     
Item 5:
Other Information  
58
     
Item 6:
Exhibits  
59
 
SIGNATURES
 
60
     


*Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.


 
2

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 

Some of the statements made in this report, including statements made in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors” and elsewhere, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, among other things, discussions concerning potential exposure of AXA Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries to market risks and the impact of new accounting pronouncements, as well as statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions, as indicated by words such as “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “should,” “probably,” “risk,” “target,” “goals,” “objectives,” or similar expressions.  AXA Financial, Inc. assumes no duty to update any forward-looking statement.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects and are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of AXA Financial, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and elsewhere in this report.

 
3

 

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1:  Consolidated Financial Statements


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)


   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
    2009    
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
ASSETS
           
Investments:
           
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value
  $ 36,743.3     $ 33,415.9  
Mortgage loans on real estate
    5,069.4       5,174.0  
Equity real estate, held for the production of income
    430.5       370.3  
Policy loans 
    4,992.4       5,045.2  
Other equity investments 
    1,597.1       1,789.9  
Trading securities     
    540.8       322.7  
Other invested assets 
    2,815.9       3,425.1  
Total investments
    52,189.4       49,543.1  
Cash and cash equivalents 
    5,034.2       10,061.2  
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value
    1,246.1       2,572.6  
Broker-dealer related receivables       
    998.7       1,020.4  
Deferred policy acquisition costs        
    8,837.7       8,503.3  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    5,288.8       5,316.1  
Value of business acquired        
    542.5       666.5  
Amounts due from reinsurers        
    4,212.1       4,286.6  
Loans to affiliates                     
    1,200.0       1,143.5  
Other assets                            
    4,524.9       5,095.8  
Separate Accounts’ assets   
    74,418.0       69,614.4  
                 
Total Assets 
  $ 158,492.4     $ 157,823.5  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Policyholders’ account balances 
  $ 28,014.6     $ 28,258.8  
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities
    25,626.8       26,274.6  
Broker-dealer related payables
    356.8       934.8  
Customers related payables  
    1,698.0       2,753.1  
Short-term and long-term debt
    1,524.4       1,625.8  
Loans from affiliates      
    5,230.0       4,530.0  
Income taxes payable   
    1,579.9       2,892.5  
Other liabilities                              
    5,828.5       6,303.0  
Noncontrolling interest subject to redemption rights
    -       135.0  
Separate Accounts’ liabilities
    74,418.0       69,614.4  
Total liabilities  
    144,277.0       143,322.0  
                 
                 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 11)
               
                 

 
4

 


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CONTINUED
(UNAUDITED)

 
    
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
EQUITY
           
AXA Financial, Inc. equity:
           
Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.00 billion shares authorized,
           
436.2 million shares issued and outstanding   
    3.9       3.9  
Capital in excess of par value 
    690.7       1,298.9  
Retained earnings  
    12,418.3       14,448.8  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  
    (2,240.1 )     (2,854.4 )
Treasury shares, at cost  
    (54.4 )     (58.3 )
Total AXA Financial, Inc. equity   
    10,818.4       12,838.9  
Noncontrolling interest   
    3,397.0       1,662.6  
Total equity
    14,215.4       14,501.5  
                 
Total Liabilities and Equity 
  $ 158,492.4     $ 157,823.5  

 




See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
5

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
 
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
REVENUES
                       
Universal life and investment-type
                       
product policy fee income   
  $ 783.6     $ 800.1     $ 1,512.4     $ 1,574.9  
Premiums                             
    361.3       376.5       737.0       768.8  
Net investment (loss) income:
                               
Investment (loss) income from
                               
derivative instruments    
    (4,069.4 )     (138.3 )     (4,095.5 )     552.1  
Other investment income   
    742.8       763.6       1,252.9       1,447.6  
Total net investment (loss) income  
    (3,326.6 )     625.3       (2,842.6 )     1,999.7  
Investment (losses) gains, net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    (86.1 )     (39.6 )     (113.6 )     (65.3 )
Portion of loss recognized in other
                               
comprehensive income                                                            
    3.3       -       3.3       -  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (82.8 )     (39.6 )     (110.3 )     (65.3 )
Other investment gains, net 
    2.3       16.3       199.0       27.7  
Total investment (losses) gains, net
    (80.5 )     (23.3 )     88.7       (37.6 )
Commissions, fees and other income  
    866.0       1,310.9       1,705.2       2,655.7  
(Decrease) increase in fair value of
                               
reinsurance contracts                                                              
    (417.7 )     (221.3 )     (719.9 )     184.8  
Total revenues  
    (1,813.9 )     2,868.2       480.8       7,146.3  
                                 
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS
                               
Policyholders’ benefits                                                                
    172.9       740.2       1,113.5       1,600.4  
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
    288.6       288.9       573.7       582.1  
Compensation and benefits    
    596.0       673.2       1,164.8       1,357.8  
Commissions                   
    221.1       343.1       485.2       694.1  
Distribution plan payments   
    48.8       78.7       91.2       157.9  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    13.8       20.5       28.7       42.5  
Interest expense   
    75.6       48.4       152.2       103.2  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
                               
and value of business acquired 
    (168.4 )     (282.6 )     (49.5 )     549.7  
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    (240.7 )     (376.8 )     (544.7 )     (760.8 )
Rent expense                        
    68.1       71.7       143.4       144.4  
Amortization of other intangible assets 
    10.1       9.8       19.8       19.5  
Other operating costs and expenses  
    276.1       315.5       567.8       667.2  
Total benefits and other deductions 
    1,362.0       1,930.6       3,746.1       5,158.0  
                                 






 
6

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                         
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
                       
before income taxes             
   $ (3,175.9 )    $ 937.6      $ (3,265.3 )    $ 1,988.3  
Income tax benefit (expense)   
    1,180.8       (277.7 )     1,237.8       (628.1 )
                                 
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations,
                               
net of income taxes   
    (1,995.1 )     659.9       (2,027.5 )     1,360.2  
Losses from discontinued operations,
                               
net of income taxes 
    (1.6 )     (.4 )     (3.5 )     (1.6 )
(Losses) gains on disposal of discontinued operations,
                               
net of income taxes  
    -       (1.7 )     -       5.8  
                                 
Net (loss) earnings     
    (1,996.7 )     657.8       (2,031.0 )     1,364.4  
Less: net earnings attributable to the
                               
noncontrolling interest 
    (69.0 )     (127.5 )     (73.8 )     (215.2 )
                                 
Net (Loss) Earnings Attributable to AXA Financial
  $ (2,065.7 )   $ 530.3     $ (2,104.8 )   $ 1,149.2  
                                 
                                 
Amounts attributable to AXA Financial:                                
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations,                                
    net of income taxes   $ (2,064.1 )   $ 532.4     $ (2,101.3   $ 1,145.0  
Losses from discontinued operations,
                               
    net of income taxes      (1.6     (.4     (3.5     (1.6
(Losses) gains on disposal of discontinued operations,                                
    net of income taxes     -       (1.7     -       5.8  
                                 
Net (Loss) Earnings   $ (2,065.7 )   $ 530.3     $ (2,104.8 )   $ 1,149.2  





 








See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
7

 


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED)

   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
       
EQUITY
           
AXA Financial, Inc. Equity:
           
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period
  $ 3.9     $ 3.9  
                 
Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year 
    1,298.9       1,250.0  
Sale of AllianceBernstein Units to noncontrolling interest
    (619.4 )     -  
Changes in capital in excess of par value  
    11.2       22.9  
Capital in excess of par value, end of period  
    690.7       1,272.9  
                 
                 
Retained earnings, beginning of year  
    14,448.8       10,863.8  
Net (loss) earnings attributable to AXA Financial, Inc. 
    (2,104.8 )     1,149.2  
Impact of adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, net of taxes
    74.3       -  
Retained earnings, end of period  
    12,418.3       12,013.0  
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year
    (2,854.4 )     (478.8 )
Impact of adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, net of taxes
    (74.3 )     -  
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Financial, Inc.
    688.6       (577.9 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period  
    (2,240.1 )     (1,056.7 )
                 
Treasury shares at cost, beginning of year 
    (58.3 )     (116.9 )
Changes in treasury shares  
    3.9       48.8  
Treasury shares at cost, end of period 
    (54.4 )     (68.1 )
                 
Total AXA Financial, Inc. equity, end of period 
    10,818.4       12,165.0  
                 
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year     
    1,662.6       1,681.2  
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units by noncontrolling interest
    1,552.9       31.2  
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Put 
    135.0       -  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest  
    73.8       215.2  
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest 
    (58.6 )     (208.4 )
Capital contributions  
    3.5       21.6  
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    3.9       .5  
Other changes in noncontrolling interest 
    23.9       7.8  
                 
Noncontrolling interest, end of period 
    3,397.0       1,749.1  
                 
Total Equity, End of Period                                                                                            
  $ 14,215.4     $ 13,914.1  


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
8

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED)


   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
             
Net (loss) earnings                                                                                            
  $ (2,031.0 )   $ 1,364.4  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances  
    573.7       582.1  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income
    (1,512.4 )     (1,574.9 )
Net change in broker-dealer customer related receivables/payables
    (1,308.3 )     (714.3 )
Change in investment income related to derivative instruments
    4,211.8       (552.1 )
Investment (gains) losses, net 
    (88.7 )     37.8  
Change in segregated cash and securities, net 
    1,326.5       570.4  
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs and
               
value of business acquired  
    (594.2 )     (211.1 )
Change in future policy benefits   
    (576.0 )     84.0  
Change in income taxes payable
    (1,375.8 )     475.6  
Equity loss (income) in other limited partnerships 
    198.0       (40.7 )
Amortization of deferred sales commission  
    28.7       42.5  
Other depreciation and amortization  
    115.4       93.3  
Amortization of other intangibles
    19.7       19.5  
Change in fair value of guaranteed minimum income benefit
               
reinsurance contracts 
    719.9       (184.8 )
Other, net 
    132.8       55.9  
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 
    (159.9 )     47.6  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Maturities and repayments of fixed maturities and mortgage loans on real estate
    1,352.9       1,318.2  
Sales of investments
    2,918.4       697.3  
Purchases of investments 
    (6,225.6 )     (1,867.3 )
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments
    (4,106.9 )     626.9  
Change in short-term investments
    (15.3 )     (2.4 )
Decrease in loans to affiliates 
    11.5       -  
Increase in loans to affiliates
    (1.5 )     (2.4 )
Change in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and
               
EDP equipment
    (105.4 )     (82.0 )
Other, net
    46.0       (41.7 )
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (6,125.9 )     646.6  
                 


 
9

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008 - CONTINUED
(UNAUDITED)




   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Policyholders’ account balances:
           
Deposits
  $ 2,226.8     $ 2,194.5  
Withdrawals and transfers to Separate Accounts  
    (1,617.3 )     (1,448.6 )
Sale of AllianceBernstein Units   
    600.0       -  
Repayments of long-term debt 
    -       (250.0 )
Proceeds from loans from affiliates
    1,600.0       250.0  
Repayment of loans from affiliates
    (900.0 )     (65.0 )
Decrease in collateralized pledged liabilities      
    (612.0 )     -  
Other, net 
    (38.7 )     (210.2 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities  
    1,258.8       470.7  
                 
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    (5,027.0 )     1,164.9  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
    10,061.2       2,055.8  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period  
  $ 5,034.2     $ 3,220.7  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information
               
Interest Paid 
  $ 52.1     $ 66.0  
Income Taxes Paid 
  $ 37.7     $ 185.0  





See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
10

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1)  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions (including normal, recurring accruals) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary in the opinion of management for a fair statement of the consolidated financial position of AXA Financial Group and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of AXA Financial Group for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  Events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated by management, for purpose of recognition or disclosure in these consolidated financial statements, through their date of issue on August 11, 2009.

On January 6, 2009, AXA America Holdings Inc. (“AXA America”), the holding company for AXA Financial and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AXA, purchased the final 8.16 million AllianceBernstein Units from SCB Partners at a price of $18.349 per Unit pursuant to the final installment of the AB Put.  As a result of this transaction, Minority interest subject to redemption rights totaling $135.0 million were reclassified as noncontrolling interests in first quarter 2009.

On March 30, 2009, AXA Financial Group sold 41.9 million AllianceBernstein Units to an affiliate of AXA.  Proceeds received on this transaction totaled $600.0 million.  AXA Financial Group’s book value of these units on the date of the sale was $1,552.9 million.  As a result of the sale, AXA Financial Group recorded a charge to Capital in excess of par value of $619.4 million (net of a deferred tax benefit of $333.5 million).  AXA Financial Group’s economic interest in AllianceBernstein was reduced to 46.4% upon completion of this transaction.  As AXA Equitable remains the General Partner of the limited partnership, AllianceBernstein continues to be consolidated in AXA Financial’s consolidated financial statements.

The terms “second quarter 2009” and “second quarter 2008” refer to the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The terms “first half of 2009” and “first half of 2008” refer to the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Certain reclassifications have been made in the amounts presented for prior periods to conform those periods to the current presentation.


2)  
ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Changes

Effective December 31, 2008, AXA Financial Group adopted FSP EITF 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20,” an amendment of EITF Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment of Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets”.  The FSP broadens the other-than-temporary impairment assessment for interests in securitized financial assets within the scope of EITF 99-20 to conform to the model applicable to all other debt securities by permitting reasonable management judgment of the probability to collect all projected cash flows.   Debt securities with amortized cost and fair values of approximately $2,121.6 million and $1,532.2 million, respectively at June 30, 2009 and $1,996.0 million and $1,403.8 million, respectively at December 31, 2008 comprised the population subject to this amendment.  Adoption of the FSP did not have an impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 
11

 
Beginning first quarter 2009, AXA Financial Group implemented SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133,” which requires enhanced disclosures of an entity’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, including tabular presentation of fair value amounts, gains and losses, and related hedged items, with appropriate cross-referencing to the financial statements.  SFAS No. 161 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2009.

Effective January 1, 2009, AXA Financial Group began implementation of SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51”.  SFAS No. 160 required AXA Financial Group to:
·    
Recharacterize minority interests, previously classified within liabilities, as noncontrolling interests reported as a component of consolidated equity on the balance sheet,
·    
Include total income in net income, with separate disclosure on the face of the consolidated income statement of the attribution of income between controlling and noncontrolling interests, and
·    
Account for increases and decreases in noncontrolling interests as equity transactions with any difference between proceeds of a purchase or issuance of noncontrolling interests being accounted for as a change to the controlling entity’s equity instead of as current period gains/losses in the consolidated income statement.  Only when the controlling entity loses control and deconsolidates a subsidiary will a gain or loss be recognized.
SFAS No. 160 was effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 except for its specific transition provisions for retroactive adoption of the balance sheet and income statement presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests that are reflected in these consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.  As a result of the implementation of SFAS No. 160, which required retrospective application of presentation requirements, total equity at December 31, 2008 and 2007 increased by $1,662.6 million and $1,681.2 million, respectively, representing noncontrolling interest, and total liabilities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 decreased by $1,662.6 million and $1,681.2 million, respectively, as a result of the elimination of minority interest.  Also as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 160, for second quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, (Loss) earnings from continuing operations, net of income taxes increased by $127.5 million and $215.2 million and net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest increased by $127.5 million and $215.2 million.  In 2009, the EITF will consider a topic entitled “Consideration of an Insurer’s Accounting for Majority Owned Investments When the Ownership Is Through a Separate Account”.  This issue will consider the treatment of Separate Account arrangements that involve ownership by the Separate Account of more than 50% of its mutual fund shares.

Issued in May 2009, SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events,” established general principles for evaluation, recognition, and disclosure of events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet but before the financial statements are issued (for “public” entities) or “available to be issued.”  SFAS No. 165 does not significantly change the accounting for or reporting of subsequent events but requires that explicit disclosure be made of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated and the basis for that date.  SFAS No. 165 was effective prospectively for interim financial periods ending after June 15, 2009 and is applied in these consolidated financial statements.

Effective second quarter 2009, AXA Financial Group implemented FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” (“FSP 107-1”), that extends to interim reporting periods and amends the annual disclosure requirements about the fair value of financial instruments, including the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.  FSP 107-1 requires presentation of comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption.  The disclosures required by FSP 107-1 are provided in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Beginning second quarter 2009, AXA Financial Group adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments,” (“FSP 115-2”) that modifies the recognition guidance for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) of debt securities to make it more operational and expands the presentation and disclosure of OTTI on debt and equity securities in the financial statements.  For Available for Sale (“AFS”) debt securities in an unrealized loss position, FSP 115-2 requires the total fair value loss to be recognized in earnings as an OTTI if management intends to sell the debt security or more likely-than-not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery.  If these criteria are not met, both qualitative and quantitative assessments are required to evaluate the security’s collectibility and determine whether an OTTI is considered to have occurred.

 
12

 
FSP 115-2 requires only the credit loss component of any resulting OTTI to be recognized in earnings, as measured by the shortfall of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected as compared to the amortized cost basis of the security, while the remainder of the fair value loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  In periods subsequent to the recognition of an OTTI, the debt security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI, with an amortized cost basis reduced by the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings.

As required by the transition provisions of FSP 115-2, a cumulative effect adjustment was calculated for all AFS debt securities held as of April 1, 2009 for which an OTTI previously was recognized and for which at April 1, 2009 there was no intention or likely requirement to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost.  As a result, an increase to Retained earnings of $74.3 million was recorded as of April 1, 2009 with a corresponding decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) to reclassify the noncredit portion of these previously recognized OTTI amounts.  In addition, the amortized cost basis of the AFS debt securities comprising the reclassification amount was increased by $141.8 million at April 1, 2009, or the amount of the cumulative effect adjustment, pre-DAC and tax.  The fair value of AFS debt securities at April 1, 2009 was not changed as a result of adoption of FSP 115-2.

(Loss) earnings from continuing operations, net of income taxes, and Net (loss) earnings attributable to AXA Financial for second quarter and the first six months of 2009 reflect increases of $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively, from recognition in OCI of the noncredit portions of OTTI subsequent to initial adoption of FSP 115-2 at April 1, 2009.  The consolidated financial statements have been modified as required by FSP 115-2 to separately present the total OTTI recognized in Investment (losses) gains, net, with an offset for the amount of noncredit OTTI recognized in OCI, on the face of the consolidated statements of earnings, and to present the OTTI recognized in AOCI on the face of the consolidated statements of equity and comprehensive income for all periods subsequent to adoption of FSP 115-2.  In addition, Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements has been expanded to include new and more frequent disclosures required by FSP 115-2 about OTTI for debt and equity securities regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses.

Effective April 1, 2009, AXA Financial Group adopted FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly,” (“FSP 157-4”).  This FSP retains the “exit price” objective of fair value measurement required by SFAS No. 157 and provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of market activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity.  FSP 157-4 also includes guidance on distinguishing distressed or forced transactions not determinative of fair value from orderly transactions between market participants under prevailing market conditions.  As further described in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, beginning in fourth quarter 2008, under guidance preceding FSP 157-4, AXA Financial Group concluded that markets for certain CMBS securities were inactive and, consequently, changed its methodology for measuring the fair value of these CMBS securities to minimize reliance on market trading activity and the pricing of isolated transactions.  Adoption of FSP 157-4 did not have an impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.  New and expanded interim period disclosures required by FSP 157-4 with respect to fair value measurements are provided in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Effective January 1, 2008, AXA Financial Group adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”.  SFAS No. 157 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.  It applies only to fair value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards, except for measurements of share-based payments and measurements that are similar to, but not intended to be, fair value.  Fair value is defined under SFAS No. 157 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  AXA Financial Group’s adoption of SFAS No. 157 at January 1, 2008 required only a remeasurement of the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance asset, resulting in an increase in net income of $68.2 million, related to an increase in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance asset of $209.2 million, offset by increased DAC amortization of $104.3 million and increased Federal income taxes of $36.7 million.  The increase in the GMIB reinsurance asset’s fair value under SFAS No. 157 was due primarily to updates to the capital markets assumptions and risk margins, reflective of market participant assumptions required by the exit value model of SFAS No. 157.


 
13

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140”.  This statement eliminates the concept of qualifying special-purpose entities (“QSPEs”) and their exemption from consolidation in the financial statements of a transferor of financial assets.  In addition, SFAS No. 166 modifies and clarifies the conditions for derecognition of transferred financial assets, including partial transfers and subsequent measurement of retained interests.  Enhanced disclosure also is required about financial asset transfers and any continuing involvement of the transferor.  For calendar-year consolidated financial statements, such as those of AXA Financial Group, SFAS No. 166 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2010.  Special transition provisions are provided for then-existing QSPEs that may require consolidation at adoption of SFAS No. 166.  Management does not expect the implementation of SFAS No. 166 to have a material effect on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Also issued by the FASB on June 12, 2009 was SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R),” that modifies the approach and increases the frequency for assessing whether a VIE must be consolidated and requires additional disclosures about an entity’s involvement with VIEs.  SFAS 167 removes the quantitative-based risks-and-rewards calculation for identifying the primary beneficiary and, instead, requires a variable-interest holder to qualitatively assess whether it has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, without consideration of kick-out and participating rights unless unilaterally held.  Continuous reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE are required.  For calendar-year consolidated financial statements, such as those of AXA Financial Group, SFAS No. 167 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2010.  Special transition provisions are provided for then-existing VIEs that may require consolidation at adoption of SFAS No. 167.  Earlier application is prohibited.  Management is currently evaluating the impact SFAS No. 167 may have on AXA Financial Group.

On June 29, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162,” to supersede the existing U.S. GAAP hierarchy and establish the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (the “FASB Codification”) as the sole source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. GAAP.  The FASB Codification does not change existing U.S. GAAP guidance but instead provides a consistent organizational structure to simplify user access to its contents.  Hereafter, the FASB will not issue new authoritative standards in the form of Statements, FSPs or EITF abstracts, but will update the FASB Codification.  The FASB Codification does not replace or affect guidance issued by the SEC or its staff for public entities’ filings with the SEC.  SFAS No. 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  Accordingly, beginning in third quarter 2009, citings of authoritative accounting guidance made in the consolidated financial statements of AXA Financial Group will reference the appropriate subjects or sections of the FASB Codification.


 
14

 


3)  
INVESTMENTS

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The following table provides information relating to fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale:

Available for Sale Securities by Classification

 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Other-than-
temporary
Impairments
in AOCI (3)
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                               
June 30, 2009:
                             
Fixed Maturities:
                             
Corporate                                         
  $ 26,964.4     $ 627.4     $ 1,079.1     $ 26,512.7     $ .7  
U.S. Treasury, government
                                       
and agency                                       
    2,878.4       9.5       219.6       2,668.3       -  
States and political
                                       
subdivisions                                       
    211.7       6.2       5.2       212.7       -  
Foreign governments                                         
    277.1       28.6       3.0       302.7       -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    2,753.1       1.2       649.8       2,104.5       -  
Residential mortgage-backed (1)
    2,922.0       58.5       15.1       2,965.4       -  
Asset-backed (2)                                         
    456.7       16.5       45.6       427.6       7.9  
Redeemable preferred stock
    2,333.3       .1       784.0       1,549.4       -  
Total Fixed Maturities 
    38,796.7       748.0       2,801.4       36,743.3       8.6  
                                         
Equity securities                                           
    40.5       .7       -       41.2       -  
                                         
Total at June 30, 2009                                             
  $ 38,837.2     $ 748.7     $ 2,801.4     $ 36,784.5     $ 8.6  
 
         
December 31, 2008
                         
Fixed Maturities:
                         
Corporate                                         
  $ 26,231.0     $ 280.1     $ 2,344.3     $ 24,166.9    
U.S. Treasury, government
                                 
and agency                                       
    1,922.7       299.1       .1       2,221.6    
States and political
                                 
subdivisions                                       
    204.7       12.0       10.4       206.3    
Foreign governments                                         
    269.9       42.7       5.7       306.9    
Commercial mortgage-backed
    2,793.4       4.0       707.8       2,089.6    
Residential mortgage-backed (1)
    1,939.8       75.5       .2       2,015.1    
Asset-backed (2)                                         
    1,026.3       42.3       38.6       1,030.0    
Redeemable preferred stock
    2,294.0       1.0       915.4       1,379.5    
Total Fixed Maturities
    36,681.8       756.7       4,022.5       33,415.9    
                                   
Equity securities                                           
    35.9       -       4.8       31.1    
                                   
Total at December 31, 2008
  $ 36,717.7     $ 756.7     $ 4,027.3     $ 33,447.0    

(1)     
Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
(2)    
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages and other asset types and credit tenant loans
(3)    
Amounts represent OTTI losses in AOCI, which were not included in earnings since the adoption of FSP 115-2 on April 1, 2009.

 
15

 
As further described in Note 7, AXA Financial Group determines the fair values of fixed maturities and equity securities based upon quoted prices in active markets, when available, or through the use of alternative approaches when market quotes are not readily accessible or available.  These alternative approaches include matrix or model pricing and use of independent pricing services, each supported by reference to principal market trades or other observable market assumptions for similar securities.  More specifically, the matrix pricing approach to fair value is a discounted cash flow methodology that incorporates market interest rates commensurate with the credit quality and duration of the investment.

The contractual maturities of AFS fixed maturities at June 30, 2009 are shown in the table below.  Bonds not due at a single maturity date have been included in the table in the year of final maturity.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 
Available for Sale
 
 
Amortized
     
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In Millions)
 
     
Due in one year or less
  $ 955.4     $ 961.8  
Due in years two through five
    11,395.3       11,508.1  
Due in years six through ten
    12,978.3       12,529.5  
Due after ten years
    5,002.6       4,697.1  
Subtotal
    30,331.6       29,696.5  
Commercial mortgage-backed bonds 
    2,753.1       2,104.4  
Residential mortgage-backed bonds
    2,922.0       2,965.5  
Asset-backed bonds
    456.7       427.5  
Total
  $ 36,463.4     $ 35,193.9  

For the first half of 2009 and 2008, proceeds received on sales of fixed maturities classified as available for sale amounted to $2,783.2 million and $299.8 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $188.0 million and $5.1 million and gross losses of $11.3 million and $7.8 million were realized on these sales for the first half of 2009 and of 2008, respectively.

AXA Financial Group’s management, with the assistance of its investment advisors, monitors the investment performance of its portfolio and reviews AFS securities with unrealized losses for OTTI.  Integral to this review is an assessment made each quarter, on a security-by-security basis, by the Investments Under Surveillance Committee, of various indicators of credit deterioration to determine whether the investment security is expected to recover.  This assessment includes, but is not limited to, consideration of the duration and severity of the unrealized loss, failure, if any, of the issuer of the security to make scheduled payments, actions taken by rating agencies, adverse conditions specifically related to the security or sector, the financial strength, liquidity, and continued viability of the issuer and, for equity securities only, the intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery, and results in identification of specific securities for which OTTI is recognized.

As discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, if there is no intent to sell or likely requirement to dispose of the fixed maturity security before its recovery, only the credit loss component of any resulting OTTI is recognized in earnings and the remainder of the fair value loss is recognized in OCI.  The amount of credit loss is defined in FSP 115-2 as the shortfall of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected as compared to the amortized cost basis of the security.  The present value is calculated by discounting management’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment.  Projections of future cash flows are based on assumptions regarding probability of default and estimates regarding the amount and timing of recoveries.  These assumptions and estimates require use of management judgment and consider internal credit analyses as well as market observable data relevant to the collectibility of the security.  For mortgage and asset-backed securities, projected future cash flows also include assumptions regarding prepayments and underlying collateral value.

During the first six months of 2009, AXA Financial Group recognized total OTTI of $113.6 million on AFS securities, all of which related to fixed maturities.  Total OTTI of fixed maturities for the first six months of 2009 was comprised of $110.3 million credit loss and $3.3 million non-credit related declines in fair value below amortized cost.  AXA Financial Group does not intend to sell and does not expect to be required to sell these impaired fixed maturities prior to recovering their amortized cost.  For second quarter 2009, AXA Financial Group recognized total OTTI of $86.1 million on AFS fixed maturities, of which $82.8 million credit loss was recorded in earnings and the remaining $3.3 million non-credit related portion of the decline in fair value was recorded in OCI.  The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed maturity securities held by the Insurance Group at the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in OCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.

 
16

 
Fixed Maturities - Credit Loss Impairments
(In Millions)

Balance at March 31, 2009
 
$
-
 
Cumulative adjustment related to adoption of FSP 115-2
   
16.9
 
Previously recognized impairments on securities that matured, paid, prepaid or sold
   
(.7
)
Previously recognized impairments on securities impaired to fair value this period (1)
   
-
 
Impairments recognized this period on securities not previously impaired
   
3.9
 
Additional impairments this period on securities previously impaired 
   
1.2
 
Increases due to passage of time on previously recorded credit losses
   
-
 
Accretion of previously recognized impairments due to increases in expected cash flows
   
-
 
Balance at June 30, 2009                                                                                                             
 
$
21.3
 

(1)
Represents circumstances where the Insurance Group determined in the current period that it intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost.

Net unrealized investment gains and losses on fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale are included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of AOCI.  The table below presents these amounts as of the dates indicated:

 
June 30,
December 31,
     2009    
2008
 
 
(In Millions)
 
     
AFS Securities:
           
Fixed maturities:
           
With OTTI loss                                                                                   
  $ (9.9 )   $ -  
All other                                                                                   
    (2,043.5 )     (3,265.8 )
Equity securities                                                                                     
    .7       (4.8 )
Net Unrealized Losses                                                                                        
  $ (2,052.7 )   $ (3,270.6 )
                 
Changes in net unrealized investment gains and losses recognized in AOCI include reclassification adjustments to reflect amounts realized in Net earnings for the current period that had been part of OCI in earlier periods.  The tables that follow below present a rollforward of net unrealized investment gains and losses recognized in AOCI, split between amounts related to fixed maturity securities on which an OTTI loss has been recognized, and all other:

 
17

 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturities with OTTI Losses

                           
AOCI
 
   
Net
               
Deferred
   
(Loss)
 
   
Unrealized
               
Income
   
Related to Net
 
   
Gains
               
Tax
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
(Liability)
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
Asset
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                               
Balance, March 31, 2009
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Cumulative impact of adopting
                                       
FSP 115-2
    (5.4 )     .6       -       1.7       (3.1 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    (2.6 )     -       -       -       (2.6 )
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
OTTI (losses) included in
                                       
Net (loss) earnings
    1.2       -       -       -       1.2  
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
OTTI (losses) excluded from
                                       
Net (loss) earnings (1) 
    (3.1 )     -       -       -       (3.1 )
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on DAC/VOBA
          .1       -       -       .1  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on deferred income
                                     
taxes
            -       -       1.5       1.5  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on Policyholders
                                       
liabilities
          -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ (9.9 )   $ .7     $ -     $ 3.2     $ (6.0 )
                                         
(1)     
Represents “transfers in” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
18

 

All Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) in AOCI

                           
AOCI
 
   
Net
               
Deferred
   
(Loss)
 
   
Unrealized
               
Income
   
Related to Net
 
   
Gains
               
Tax
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
(Liability)
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
Asset
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                               
Balance, March 31, 2009
  $ (3,993.1 )   $ 1,046.5     $ 132.7     $ 1,041.7     $ (1,772.2 )
Cumulative impact of adopting
                                       
FSP 115-2
    (136.5 )     34.5       (.7 )     35.7       (67.0 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    1,995.9       -       -       -       1,995.9  
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
gains (losses) included in
                                       
Net (loss) earnings
    87.8       -       -       -       87.8  
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
OTTI (losses) excluded from
                                       
Net (loss) earnings (1) 
    3.1       -       -       -       3.1  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on DAC/VOBA
            (719.7 )     -       -       (719.7 )
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on deferred income
                                       
taxes
            -       -       (545.8 )     (545.8)  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on Policyholders
                                       
liabilities
            -       .8       -       .8  
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ (2,042.8 )   $ 361.3     $ 132.8     $ 531.6     $ (1,017.1 )
                                         
Balance, January 1, 2009
  $ (3,270.7 )   $ 721.0     $ 103.3     $ 899.2     $ (1,547.2 )
Cumulative impact of adopting
                                       
FSP 115-2
    (136.5 )     34.5       (.7 )     35.7       (67.0 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    1,462.1       -       -       -       1,462.1  
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
gains (losses) included in
                                       
Net (loss) earnings
    (100.8 )     -       -       -       (100.8 )
Reclassification adjustment for
                                       
OTTI (losses) excluded from
                                       
Net (loss) earnings (1) 
    3.1       -       -       -       3.1  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on DAC/VOBA
            (394.2 )     -       -       (394.2 )
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on deferred income
                                       
taxes
            -       -       (403.3 )     (403.3)  
Impact of net unrealized investment
                                       
gains (losses) on Policyholders
                                       
liabilities
            -       30.2       -       30.2  
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ (2,042.8 )   $ 361.3     $ 132.8     $ 531.6     $ (1,017.1 )
                                         
 
(1)
Represents “transfers out” related to the portion of OTTI losses during the period that were not recognized in earnings for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
19

 
The following tables disclose the fair values and gross unrealized losses of the 1,667 issues at June 30, 2009 and the 1,808 issues at December 31, 2008 of fixed maturities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the specified periods at the dates indicated.

   
June 30, 2009
 
   
Less Than 12 Months (1)
   
12 Months or Longer (1)
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                                     
Fixed Maturities:
                                   
Corporate                            
  $ 3,379.7     $ (307.0 )   $ 7,941.6     $ (772.1 )   $ 11,321.3     $ (1,079.1 )
U.S. Treasury,
                                               
government and
                                               
agency                          
    2,527.9       (219.6 )     -       -       2,527.9       (219.6 )
States and political
                                               
subdivisions                          
    4.2       (.1 )     41.6       (5.1 )     45.8       (5.2 )
Foreign governments
    43.4       (3.0 )     1.0       -       44.4       (3.0 )
Commercial mortgage-backed
    484.6       (230.4 )     1,545.4       (419.4 )     2,030.0       (649.8 )
Residential mortgage-backed
    608.3       (15.1 )     -       -       608.3       (15.1 )
Asset-backed
    79.2       (22.2 )     72.2       (23.4 )     151.4       (45.6 )
Redeemable
                                               
preferred stock                          
    261.5       (207.5 )     1,263.4       (576.5 )     1,524.9       (784.0 )
                                                 
    $ 7,388.8     $ (1,004.9 )   $ 10,865.2     $ (1,796.5 )   $ 18,254.0     $ (2,801.4 )

 
(1)
The month count for aging of unrealized losses was reset back to historical unrealized loss month counts for securities impacted by the adoption of FSP 115-2.

   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Longer
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                                     
Fixed Maturities:
                                   
Corporate                            
  $ 12,660.7     $ (1,286.6 )   $ 5,091.0     $ (1,057.7 )   $ 17,751.7     $ (2,344.3 )
U.S. Treasury,
                                               
government and
                                               
agency                          
    209.5       (.1 )     -       -       209.5       (.1 )
States and political
                                               
subdivisions                          
    63.4       (7.8 )     28.5       (2.6 )     91.9       (10.4 )
Foreign governments
    70.9       (5.7 )     -       -       70.9       (5.7 )
Commercial mortgage-
                                               
backed                         
    380.6       (26.2 )     1,685.5       (681.6 )     2,066.1       (707.8 )
Residential mortgage-
                                               
backed                         
    53.2       (.2 )     .2       -       53.4       (.2 )
Asset-backed
    80.1       (7.2 )     89.2       (31.4 )     169.3       (38.6 )
Redeemable
                                               
preferred stock                          
    486.6       (326.1 )     834.7       (589.3 )     1,321.3       (915.4 )
                                                 
    $ 14,005.0     $ (1,659.9 )   $ 7,729.1     $ (2,362.6 )   $ 21,734.1     $ (4,022.5 )

 
20

 
The Insurance Group’s investments in fixed maturity securities do not include concentrations of credit risk of any single issuer greater than 10% of the consolidated equity of AXA Financial, Inc., other than securities of the U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, and certain securities guaranteed by the U.S. government.  The Insurance Group maintains a diversified portfolio of corporate securities across industries and issuers and does not have exposure to any single issuer in excess of .52% of total investments.  The largest exposure to a single issuer of corporate securities held at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $273.6 million and $232.4 million, respectively.  Corporate high yield securities, consisting primarily of public high yield bonds, are classified as other than investment grade by the various rating agencies, i.e., a rating below Baa3/BBB- or the NAIC designation of 3 (medium grade), 4 or 5 (below investment grade) or 6 (in or near default).  At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, approximately $2,996.5 million and $1,239.2 million, or 7.7% and 3.4%, of the $38,796.7 million and $36,681.8 million aggregate amortized cost of fixed maturities held by the Insurance Group were considered to be other than investment grade.  These securities had net unrealized losses of $749.9 million and $287.8 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

The Insurance Group does not originate, purchase or warehouse residential mortgages and is not in the mortgage servicing business.  The Insurance Group’s fixed maturity investment portfolio includes RMBS backed by subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages, comprised of loans made by banks or mortgage lenders to residential borrowers with lower credit ratings.  The criteria used to categorize such subprime borrowers include FICO scores, interest rates charged, debt-to-income ratios and loan-to-value ratios.  Alt-A residential mortgages are mortgage loans where the risk profile falls between prime and subprime; borrowers typically have clean credit histories but the mortgage loan has an increased risk profile due to higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios and/or inadequate documentation of the borrowers’ income.  At June 30, 2009, the Insurance Group owned $60.5 million in RMBS backed by subprime residential mortgage loans, approximately 45% rated AAA, and $24.2 million in RMBS backed by Alt-A residential mortgage loans, approximately 4% of which were rated AAA.  RMBS backed by subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages are fixed income investments supporting General Account liabilities.

At June 30, 2009, the carrying value of fixed maturities that were non-income producing for the twelve months preceding that date was $32.4 million.

For the second quarter and first half of 2009 and of 2008, investment income is shown net of investment expenses of $34.1 million, $65.4 million, $41.5 million and $86.9 million, respectively.

At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, AXA Financial Group’s trading account securities had amortized costs of $486.4 million and $514.5 million and fair values of $540.8 million and $322.7 million.  Included in the trading classification at June 30, 2009 were U.S. Treasury securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements with aggregate amortized cost and fair value of $100.0 million and $86.4 million, respectively.  Also at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, Other equity investments included the General Account’s investment in Separate Accounts which had carrying values of $42.3 million and $39.0 million and costs of $46.9 million and $44.7 million as well as other equity securities with carrying values of $41.2 million and $31.1 million and costs of $40.5 million and $35.9 million.

In the second quarter and the first half of 2009 and of 2008, net unrealized and realized holding gains (losses) on trading account equity securities, including earnings (losses) on the General Account’s investment in Separate Accounts, of $76.2 million, $31.8 million, $5.9 million and $(79.9) million, respectively, were included in Net investment income in the consolidated statements of earnings.  Gross unrealized gains on trading fixed maturities were $4.5 million and $7.7 million, in second quarter and the first half of 2009, respectively; there were no such gross unrealized gains in second quarter and the first half of 2008.  Gross unrealized losses were $10.7 million, $14.2 million, $5.7 million, and $4.1 million for second quarter and the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Mortgage Loans

Investment valuation allowances for mortgage loans totaled $6.7 million and $1.3 million at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Impaired mortgage loans without investment valuation allowances totaled zero at June 30, 2009.  During the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively, AXA Financial Group’s average recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans was $8.1 million and $14.4 million.  Interest income recognized on these impaired mortgage loans totaled $0.5 million and $0.2 million for the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Mortgage loans on real estate are placed on nonaccrual status once management believes the collection of accrued interest is doubtful.  Once mortgage loans on real estate are classified as nonaccrual loans, interest income is recognized under the cash basis of accounting and the resumption of the interest accrual would commence only after all past due interest has been collected or the mortgage loan on real estate has been restructured to where the collection of interest is considered likely.  At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, the carrying values of mortgage loans on real estate that had been classified as nonaccrual loans were $17.2 million and zero.

 
21

 
Derivatives

AXA Financial Group uses derivatives for asset/liability risk management primarily to reduce exposures to equity market declines and interest rate fluctuations.  Derivative hedging strategies are designed to reduce these risks from an economic perspective while also considering their impacts on accounting results and statutory liabilities.  None of the derivatives were designated as qualifying hedges under SFAS No. 133.  The table below presents quantitative disclosures about AXA Financial Group’s derivative instruments in the first half of 2009, including those embedded in other contracts though required to be accounted for as derivative instruments.  Gains (losses) on derivatives are reported in Net investment income in the consolidated statements of earnings except those resulting from changes in the fair values of the embedded derivatives: the GMIB reinsurance contract and the GWBL features that are reported in Commissions, fees, and other income and Policyholder’s benefits, respectively.

Derivative Instruments by Category
At or For the Periods Ended June 30, 2009

                     
Gains (Losses) Reported
 
   
At June 30, 2009
   
In Net Earnings
 
         
Fair Value
   
Three Months
   
Six Months
 
   
Notional
   
Asset
   
Liability
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
   
Amount
   
Derivatives
   
Derivatives
   
June 30
   
June 30
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Freestanding derivatives:
                             
Equity contracts (1):
                             
Futures                                    
  $ 10,552.9     $ -     $ -     $ (1,828.9 )   $ (663.1 )
Swaps                                    
    942.0       8.8       7.0       (193.9 )     (278.5 )
Options                                    
    10,650.0       651.8       550.4       (402.3 )     (451.0 )
                                         
Interest rate contracts (1):
                                       
Floors                                    
    21,000.0       323.2       -       (84.9 )     (166.8 )
Swaps                                    
    7,837.0       280.8       24.8       (95.4 )     (273.8 )
Futures                                    
    14,020.6       -       -       (1,464.0 )     (2,261.6 )
Swaptions                                    
    250.0       15.1       -       (.1 )     (.1 )
                                         
Other freestanding contracts (2):
    -       .6       -       .1       (.6 )
                                         
Net investment loss
                            (4,069.4 )     (4,095.5 )
                                         
Embedded derivatives:
                                       
GMIB reinsurance contracts(2)
    -       1,265.4       -       (417.7 )     (719.9 )
                                         
GWBL features (3)                                       
    -       -       123.4       136.7       149.2  
                                         
Total                                       
  $ 65,252.5     $ 2,545.7     $ 705.6     $ (4,350.4 )   $ (4,666.2 )

(1)     
Reported in Other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2)    
Reported in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)     
Reported in Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities.

Margins or “spreads” on interest-sensitive life insurance and annuity contracts are affected by interest rate fluctuations as the yield on portfolio investments, primarily fixed maturities, are intended to support required payments under these contracts, including interest rates credited to their policy and contract holders.  The Insurance Group currently uses interest rate floors to reduce the risk associated with minimum crediting rate guarantees on these interest-sensitive contracts.

 
22

 
As more fully described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Insurance Group utilizes hedging programs designed to mitigate a portion of the benefits exposure due to movements in the equity markets and interest rates on GMDB, GMIB and GWBL liabilities that have not been reinsured.  The risk associated with the GMDB feature is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMDB benefits, in the event of death, being higher than what accumulated policyholder account balances would support.  The risk associated with the GMIB/GWBL features is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMIB/GWBL benefits, in the event of election, being higher than what accumulated policyholders’ account balances would support.  Operation of these hedging programs is based on models involving numerous estimates and assumptions, including, among others, mortality, lapse, surrender and withdrawal rates, election rates, market volatility and interest rates.  A wide range of derivative contracts are used in these hedging programs, including exchange traded equity and interest rate futures contracts, total return and/or other equity swaps, interest rate swap and floor contracts, and swaptions.

The above-described hedging program intends to mitigate economic exposures specifically related to variable annuity contracts with GMDB, GMIB, and GWBL features and does not fully hedge the Insurance Group’s statutory liability requirements.  Beginning in fourth quarter 2008 and continuing in 2009, the Insurance Group implemented a hedging program to provide additional protection against the adverse effects of equity market and interest rate declines on its statutory liabilities.

AXA Financial also uses interest rate swaps to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations on certain of its long-term loans from affiliates and debt obligations.  The Insurance Group is exposed to equity market fluctuations through investments in Separate Accounts and may enter into derivative contracts specifically to minimize such risk.

AXA Financial Group may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. AXA Financial Group controls and minimizes its counterparty exposure through a credit appraisal and approval process.  In addition, AXA Financial Group has executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral either in the form of cash or high-quality securities, such as Treasuries or those issued by government agencies.  At June 30, 2009, AXA Financial Group held $602.8 million in cash collateral delivered by trade counterparties, representing the fair value of the related derivative agreements.  This unrestricted cash collateral is reported in Cash and cash equivalents, and the obligation to return it is reported in Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.  In addition, AXA Financial Group also held approximately $107.9 million U.S. Treasury securities under these collateral agreements at June 30, 2009.  All outstanding equity-based and treasury futures contracts at June 30, 2009 are exchange-traded and net settled daily in cash.

Although notional amount is the most commonly used measure of volume in the derivatives market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk.  Generally, the current credit exposure of AXA Financial Group’s derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received pursuant to credit support annexes.  A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe money to AXA Financial Group if the contract were closed.  Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates AXA Financial Group would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed.  However, generally if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for net settlement.

Certain of AXA Financial Group’s standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions (“ISDA Master Agreements”) contain credit risk related contingent provisions related to its credit rating.  In some ISDA Master Agreements, if the credit rating falls below a specified threshold, either a default or a termination event permitting the counterparty to terminate the ISDA Master Agreement would be triggered.  In all agreements that provide for collateralization, various levels of collateralization of net liability positions are applicable, depending upon the credit rating of the counterparty.  The aggregate fair value of all collateralized derivative transactions that were in a liability position at June 30, 2009, was $96.5 million, for which AXA Financial Group had posted collateral of $111.0 million in the normal operation of its collateral arrangements.  If the investment grade related contingent features had been triggered on June 30, 2009, AXA Financial Group would not have been required to post any additional collateral to its counterparties.


 
23

 


4)  
CLOSED BLOCKS

The excess of Closed Block liabilities over Closed Block assets (adjusted to exclude the impact of related amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income) represents the expected maximum future post-tax earnings from the Closed Block that would be recognized in income from continuing operations over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block remain in force.  As of January 1, 2001, AXA Financial Group has developed an actuarial calculation of the expected timing of AXA Equitable’s Closed Block’s earnings.  Further, in connection with the acquisition of MONY, AXA Financial Group has developed an actuarial calculation of the expected timing of MONY Life Closed Block earnings as of July 1, 2004.

If the actual cumulative earnings from the Closed Block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings, only the expected earnings will be recognized in net income.  Actual cumulative earnings in excess of expected cumulative earnings at any point in time are recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation because they will ultimately be paid to Closed Block policyholders as an additional policyholder dividend unless offset by future performance that is less favorable than originally expected.  If a policyholder dividend obligation has been previously established and the actual Closed Block earnings in a subsequent period are less than the expected earnings for that period, the policyholder dividend obligation would be reduced (but not below zero).  If, over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block remain in force, the actual cumulative earnings of the Closed Block are less than the expected cumulative earnings, only actual earnings would be recognized in income from continuing operations.  If the Closed Block has insufficient funds to make guaranteed policy benefit payments, such payments will be made from assets outside the Closed Block.

Many expenses related to Closed Block operations, including amortization of DAC and VOBA, are charged to operations outside of the Closed Block; accordingly, net revenues of the Closed Block do not represent the actual profitability of the Closed Block operations.  Operating costs and expenses outside of the Closed Block are, therefore, disproportionate to the business outside of the Closed Block.

The operations of the AXA Equitable and MONY Life Closed Blocks are managed separately.

 
24

 
AXA Equitable Closed Block

Summarized financial information for the AXA Equitable Closed Block is as follows:

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
CLOSED BLOCK LIABILITIES:
           
Future policy benefits, policyholders’ account balances and other
  $ 8,472.0     $ 8,544.8  
Other liabilities                                                                                   
    98.0       71.3  
Total Closed Block liabilities                                                                                   
    8,570.0       8,616.1  
                 
ASSETS DESIGNATED TO THE CLOSED BLOCK:
               
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value
               
(amortized cost of $5,578.5 and $5,517.6)                                                                                 
    5,346.0       5,041.5  
Mortgage loans on real estate                                                                                   
    1,080.7       1,107.1  
Policy loans                                                                                   
    1,168.7       1,180.3  
Cash and other invested assets                                                                                   
    83.1       104.2  
Other assets                                                                                   
    366.9       472.4  
Total assets designated to the Closed Block                                                                                   
    8,045.4       7,905.5  
                 
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the
               
Closed Block                                                                                
    524.6       710.6  
                 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income:
               
Net unrealized investment losses, net of deferred income
               
tax benefit of $77.6 and $166.4                                                                             
    (144.3 )     (309.2 )
                 
Maximum Future Earnings To Be Recognized From Closed Block
               
Assets and Liabilities                                                                                
  $ 380.3     $ 401.4  

AXA Equitable’s Closed Block revenues and expenses follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     
2009
     
2008
     
2009
     
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums and other income                                                       
  $ 95.9     $ 99.0     $ 195.8     $ 200.9  
Investment income (net of investment
                               
expenses of $0, $0.3, $0 and $0.8)
    122.6       124.4       242.8       250.3  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary
                               
impairment losses                                                    
    (2.1 )     (3.6 )     (2.1 )     (4.2 )
Portion of loss recognized in other
                               
comprehensive income                                                    
    -       -       -       -  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (2.1 )     (3.6 )     (2.1 )     (4.2 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    3.9       (.4 )     11.3       (.5 )
Total investment gains (losses), net
    1.8       (4.0 )     9.2       (4.7 )
Total revenues                                                       
    220.3       219.4       447.8       446.5  
                                 
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS:
                               
Policyholders’ benefits and dividends
    205.2       203.5       414.1       412.5  
Other operating costs and expenses
    .8       .7       1.3       1.5  
Total benefits and other deductions
    206.0       204.2       415.4       414.0  
                                 
Net revenues before income taxes                                                       
    14.3       15.2       32.4       32.5  
Income tax expense                                                       
    (5.0 )     (5.3 )     (11.3 )     (11.4 )
Net Revenues                                                       
  $ 9.3     $ 9.9     $ 21.1     $ 21.1  

 
25

 


MONY Life Closed Block

Summarized financial information for the MONY Life Closed Block is as follows:

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
CLOSED BLOCK LIABILITIES
     
Future policy benefits, policyholders’ account balances and other
  $ 6,876.0     $ 6,957.2  
Policyholder dividend obligation                                                                                       
    11.2       6.5  
Other liabilities                                                                                       
    41.6       40.4  
Total Closed Block liabilities                                                                                       
    6,928.8       7,004.1  
                 
ASSETS DESIGNATED TO THE CLOSED BLOCK
               
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value
               
(amortized cost $3,950.3 and $3,986.7)                                                                                    
    3,798.0       3,650.6  
Mortgage loans on real estate                                                                                       
    877.8       885.5  
Policy loans                                                                                       
    930.6       940.2  
Cash and other invested assets                                                                                       
    127.1       84.7  
Other assets                                                                                       
    266.0       355.4  
Total assets designated to the Closed Block                                                                                       
    5,999.5       5,916.4  
                 
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated
               
to the Closed Block                                                                                    
    929.3       1,087.7  
                 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income:
               
Net unrealized investment losses, net of deferred income
               
tax benefit of $3.2 and $81.5 and net of policyholder
               
dividend obligation of $122.5 and $103.3 
    (16.1 )     (151.4 )
                 
Maximum Future Earnings To Be Recognized From Closed Block
               
Assets and Liabilities                                                                                    
  $ 913.2     $ 936.3  

 
26

 
MONY Life’s Closed Block revenues and expenses follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums and other income                                                      
  $ 77.3     $ 82.3     $ 150.4     $ 161.8  
Investment income (net of
                               
investment expenses of $0, $0,
                               
$0 and $0)                                                   
    83.4       84.7       166.2       171.2  
Investment (losses) gains, net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary
                               
impairment losses                                                  
    (2.0 )     (2.5 )     (2.0 )     (2.5 )
Portion of loss recognized in other
                               
comprehensive income                                                  
    -       -       -       -  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (2.0 )     (2.5 )     (2.0 )     (2.5 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    (1.7 )     6.8       25.8       7.4  
Total investment (losses) gains, net
    (3.7 )     4.3       23.8       4.9  
Total revenues                                                      
    157.0       171.3       340.4       337.9  
                                 
BENEFITS AND
                               
OTHER DEDUCTIONS:
                               
Policyholders’ benefits and dividends
    140.2       149.3       303.4       294.1  
Other operating costs and expenses
    .7       1.0       1.4       1.6  
Total benefits and other deductions
    140.9       150.3       304.8       295.7  
                                 
Net revenues before income taxes
    16.1       21.0       35.6       42.2  
Income tax expense                                                      
    (5.7 )     (7.4 )     (12.5 )     (14.7 )
Net Revenues                                                      
  $ 10.4     $ 13.6     $ 23.1     $ 27.5  

Reconciliation of the MONY Life policyholder dividend obligation follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                 
Balance, beginning of year                                                                                
  $ 6.5     $ 129.4  
Applicable to net revenues                                                                                
    23.9       5.9  
Unrealized investment losses                                                                                
    (19.2 )     (118.6 )
Balance, End of Period                                                                                
  $ 11.2     $ 16.7  


 
27

 
5)  
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

AXA Financial Group’s discontinued operations include Wind-up Annuities, equity real estate held-for-sale and Enterprise.  The following table reconciles the Losses from discontinued operations, net of income taxes and (Losses) gains on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes to the amounts reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings for the second quarter and first half of 2009 and 2008:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                         
Losses from Discontinued
Operations, Net of Income Taxes:
                       
Wind-up Annuities                                                     
  $ (2.7 )   $ -     $ (4.2 )   $ -  
Real estate held-for-sale                                                       
    -       .3       -       1.7  
Disposal of business - Enterprise                                                       
    1.1       (.7 )     .7       (3.3 )
Total
  $ (1.6 )   $ (.4 )   $ (3.5 )   $ (1.6 )
                                 
(Losses) Gains on Disposal of Discontinued
                               
Operations, Net of Income Taxes:
                               
Real estate held-for-sale                                                       
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 6.3  
Disposal of business - Enterprise                                                       
    -       (1.7 )     -       (.5 )
Total                                                       
  $ -     $ (1.7 )   $ -     $ 5.8  

Wind-up-Annuities

Summarized financial information for Wind-up Annuities follows:

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
BALANCE SHEETS
           
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value
           
(amortized cost of $638.5 and $661.8)                                                                                 
  $ 612.4     $ 602.1  
Equity real estate                                                                                   
    84.4       162.2  
Mortgage loans on real estate                                                                                   
    151.1       1.2  
Other invested assets                                                                                   
    4.4       1.3  
Total investments                                                                                 
    852.3       766.8  
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                   
    39.1       -  
Other assets                                                                                   
    9.0       77.1  
Total Assets                                                                                   
  $ 900.4     $ 843.9  
                 
Policyholders liabilities                                                                                   
  $ 706.4     $ 723.4  
Other liabilities                                                                                   
    194.0       120.5  
Total Liabilities                                                                                   
  $ 900.4     $ 843.9  

 
28

 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                       
Investment income (net of investment
                       
expenses of $4.1, $4.7, $9.1 and $9.3)
  $ 15.4     $ 15.5     $ 31.0     $ 31.4  
Investment (losses) gains, net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary
                               
impairment losses                                                     
    (2.0 )     -       (2.0 )     -  
Portion of loss recognized in other
                               
comprehensive income                                                     
    -       -       -       -  
 Net impairment losses recognized
    (2.0 )     -       (2.0 )     -  
Other investment gains, net                                                      
    .4       -       .4       .8  
Total investment (losses) gains, net
    (1.6 )     -       (1.6 )     .8  
Total revenues                                                        
    13.8       15.5       29.4       32.2  
                                 
Benefits and other deductions                                                        
    17.3       18.4       35.3       37.7  
Losses charged to
                               
allowance for future losses                                                      
    -       (2.9 )     -       (5.5 )
Pre-tax loss from operations                                                        
    (3.5 )     -       (5.9 )     -  
                                 
Income tax benefit                                                        
    1.2       -       2.1       -  
Loss from Wind-up Annuities                                                        
    (2.3 )     -       (3.8 )     -  
Consolidation elimination                                                        
    (.4 )     -       (.4 )     -  
                                 
Loss from Wind-up Annuities,
                               
as Consolidated                                                      
  $ (2.7 )   $ -     $ (4.2 )     -  

During second quarter 2009, an equity real estate property with a book value of $123.5 million was sold from Wind-up Annuities to a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Financial for $319.6 million.  In connection with the sale, Wind-up Annuities acquired a $150.0 million mortgage on the sold property from the affiliate and acquired a $50.3 million interest in another equity real estate property from continuing operations.

AXA Financial Group’s quarterly process for evaluating the need for an allowance for future losses involves comparison of the current period’s results of Wind-up Annuities to previous projections and re-estimation of future expected losses, if appropriate, to determine whether an adjustment is required.  Investment and benefit cash flow projections are updated annually as part of AXA Financial Group’s annual planning process.  If AXA Financial Group’s analysis in any given period indicates that an allowance for future losses is not necessary, any current period Wind-up Annuities’ operating losses or earnings are recognized as (Losses) earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the consolidated statement of earnings.  At June 30, 2009, no allowance for future losses was necessary based upon projections of reasonably assured future net investing and operating cash flows.

The determination of projected future cash flows involves numerous estimates and subjective judgments regarding the expected performance of invested assets held by Wind-up Annuities and the expected run-off of Wind-up Annuities liabilities.  There can be no assurance the projected future cash flows will not differ from the cash flows ultimately realized.  To the extent actual results or future projections of Wind-up Annuities are lower than management’s current estimates and assumptions and result in operating losses not being offset by reasonably assured future net investing and operating cash flows, an allowance for future losses may be necessary.  In particular, to the extent income, sales proceeds and holding periods for equity real estate differ from management’s previous assumptions, establishment of a loss allowance liability may result.

Enterprise

In the first half of 2008, changes in the reserve estimate resulted in a benefit of $1.8 million pre-tax ($1.2 million post-tax) being recorded. In first half of 2008, impairments of $2.7 million pre-tax ($1.7 million post-tax) were recorded on intangible assets associated with investment management and distribution contracts based upon fair value.  Proceeds received on the disposition of the AXA Enterprise funds in first half 2008 totaled $3.3 million.  The balances of these intangible assets were zero at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 
29

 
Real Estate Held-for-Sale

No real estate was held for sale at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.


6)  
GMDB, GMIB, GWBL AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES

A)  Variable Annuity Contracts – GMDB, GMIB and GWBL

AXA Equitable, MONY Life and MLOA have certain variable annuity contracts with GMDB, GMIB and/or GWBL features in force that guarantee one of the following:

·     
Return of Premium: the benefit is the greater of current account value or premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals);

·     
Ratchet: the benefit is the greatest of current account value, premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals), or the highest account value on any anniversary up to contractually specified ages (adjusted for withdrawals);

·     
Roll-Up: the benefit is the greater of current account value or premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals) accumulated at contractually specified interest rates up to specified ages;

·     
Combo: the benefit is the greater of the ratchet benefit or the roll-up benefit which may include a five year or an annual reset; or

·     
Withdrawal: the withdrawal is guaranteed up to a maximum amount per year for life.

The following table summarizes the GMDB and GMIB liabilities, before reinsurance ceded, reflected in the General Account in future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities:

   
GMDB
   
GMIB
   
Total
 
   
(In Millions)
 
       
Balance at January 1, 2009                                                              
  $ 987.3     $ 1,982.8     $ 2,970.1  
Paid guarantee benefits                                                           
    (66.8 )     (19.8 )     (86.6 )
Other changes in reserve                                                           
    146.8       (239.6 )     (92.8 )
Balance at June 30, 2009                                                              
  $ 1,067.3     $ 1,723.4     $ 2,790.7  
                         
Balance at January 1, 2008                                                              
  $ 254.4     $ 310.3     $ 564.7  
Paid guarantee benefits                                                           
    (17.3 )     (1.8 )     (19.1 )
Other changes in reserve                                                           
    77.5       39.8       117.3  
Balance at June 30, 2008                                                              
  $ 314.6     $ 348.3     $ 662.9  

Related GMDB reinsurance ceded amounts were:

      Six Months Ended  
      June 30,  
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(In Millions)
 
     
Balances, beginning of year                                                                                          
  $ 94.7     $ 28.7  
Paid guarantee benefits                                                                                       
    (5.5 )     (4.8 )
Other changes in reserve                                                                                       
    9.7       8.9  
Balances, End of Period                                                                                          
  $ 98.9     $ 32.8  

The GMIB reinsurance contracts are considered derivatives and are reported at fair value.

 
30

 
The June 30, 2009 values for variable annuity contracts in-force on such date with GMDB and GMIB features are presented in the following table.  For contracts with the GMDB feature, the net amount at risk in the event of death is the amount by which the GMDB benefits exceed related account values.  For contracts with the GMIB feature, the net amount at risk in the event of annuitization is the amount by which the present value of the GMIB benefits exceeds related account values, taking into account the relationship between current annuity purchase rates and the GMIB guaranteed annuity purchase rates.  Since variable annuity contracts with GMDB guarantees may also offer GMIB guarantees in the same contract, the GMDB and GMIB amounts listed are not mutually exclusive:

   
Return
Of
Premium
     
Ratchet
     
Roll-Up
     
Combo
     
Total
 
   
(Dollars In Millions)
 
                               
GMDB:
                             
Account values invested in:
                             
General Account                                         
  $ 11,174     $ 557     $ 362     $ 804     $ 12,897  
Separate Accounts                                         
  $ 21,480     $ 6,655     $ 4,299     $ 27,303     $ 59,737  
Net amount at risk, gross                                            
  $ 5,203     $ 2,899     $ 3,514     $ 13,255     $ 24,871  
Net amount at risk, net of
                                       
amounts reinsured                                         
  $ 5,203     $ 2,625     $ 2,467     $ 13,214     $ 23,509  
Average attained age of
                                       
contractholders                                         
    49.7       62.5       66.2       62.1       53.6  
Percentage of contractholders
                                       
over age 70                                         
    7.6 %     23.57 %     40.4 %     22.6 %     12.9 %
Range of contractually specified
                                       
interest rates                                         
    N/A       N/A       3%-6 %     3%-6.5 %     3%-6.5 %
                                         
GMIB:
                                       
Account values invested in:
                                       
General Account                                         
    N/A       N/A     $ 64     $ 1,112     $ 1,176  
Separate Accounts                                         
    N/A       N/A     $ 2,633     $ 36,921     $ 39,554  
Net amount at risk, gross                                            
    N/A       N/A     $ 1,422       1,873     $ 3,295  
Net amount at risk, net of
                                       
amounts reinsured                                         
    N/A       N/A     $ 413       1,582     $ 1,995  
Weighted average years remaining
                                       
until annuitization 
    N/A       N/A       1.3       7.4       6.8  
Range of contractually specified
                                       
interest rates 
    N/A       N/A       3%-6 %     3%-6.5 %     3%-6.5 %
 
The GWBL related liability was $123.4 million at June 30, 2009; which is valued as an embedded derivative.  The liability reflects the present value of expected future payments (benefits) less the fees attributable to the GWBL feature over a range of market consistent economic scenarios,.

B)  Separate Account Investments by Investment Category Underlying GMDB and GMIB Features

The total account values of variable annuity contracts with GMDB and GMIB features include amounts allocated to the guaranteed interest option which is part of the General Account and variable investment options that invest through Separate Accounts in variable insurance trusts.  The following table presents the aggregate fair value of assets, by major investment category, held by Separate Accounts that support variable annuity contracts with GMDB and GMIB benefits and guarantees.  The investment performance of the assets impacts the related account values and, consequently, the net amount of risk associated with the GMDB and GMIB benefits and guarantees.  Since variable annuity contracts with GMDB benefits and guarantees may also offer GMIB benefits and guarantees in each contract, the GMDB and GMIB amounts listed are not mutually exclusive:

 
31

 

Investment in Variable Insurance Trust Mutual Funds

   
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
GMDB:
           
Equity                                                                                      
  $ 35,224     $ 31,402  
Fixed income                                                                                      
    3,731       3,964  
Balanced                                                                                      
    17,672       17,495  
Other                                                                                      
    3,110       2,499  
Total                                                                                      
  $ 59,737     $ 55,360  
                 
GMIB:
               
Equity                                                                                      
  $ 22,696     $ 19,207  
Fixed income                                                                                      
    2,221       2,238  
Balanced                                                                                      
    13,580       12,887  
Other                                                                                      
    1,057       1,278  
Total                                                                                      
  $ 39,554     $ 35,610  

C)  Hedging Programs for GMDB, GMIB and GWBL Features

Beginning in 2003, AXA Equitable established a program intended to hedge certain risks associated first with the GMDB feature and, beginning in 2004, with the GMIB feature of the Accumulator® series of variable annuity products.  This program currently utilizes exchange-traded futures contracts, interest rate swap and floor contracts and other derivative instruments that are managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in GMDB, GMIB and GWBL exposures attributable to movements in the equity and fixed income markets.  At the present time, this program hedges such economic risks on products sold from 2001 forward to the extent such risks are not reinsured.  At June 30, 2009, the total account value and net amount at risk of the hedged Accumulator® series of variable annuity contracts were $47,659.0 million and $18,441.0 million, respectively, with the GMDB feature and $33,505.0 million and $1,594.0 million, respectively, with the GMIB feature.

These programs do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133.  Therefore, gains or losses on the derivatives contracts used in these programs, including current period changes in fair value, are recognized in investment income in the period in which they occur, which may contribute to earnings volatility.

D)  Variable and Interest-Sensitive Life Insurance Policies - No Lapse Guarantee

The no lapse guarantee feature contained in variable and interest-sensitive life insurance policies keeps them in force in situations where the policy value is not sufficient to cover monthly charges then due.  The no lapse guarantee remains in effect so long as the policy meets a contractually specified premium funding test and certain other requirements.

The following table summarizes the no lapse guarantee liabilities reflected in the General Account in Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities, and the related reinsurance ceded:

   
Direct Liability
   
Reinsurance Ceded
   
Net
 
   
(In Millions)
 
       
Balance at January 1, 2009                                                              
  $ 202.9     $ -     $ 202.9  
Other changes in reserves                                                           
    19.1       -       19.1  
Balance at June 30, 2009                                                              
  $ 222.0     $ -     $ 222.0  
                         
Balance at January 1, 2008                                                              
  $ 135.0     $ -     $ 135.0  
Other changes in reserves                                                           
    44.0       -       44.0  
Balance at June 30, 2008                                                              
  $ 179.0     $ -     $ 179.0  

 
32

 

7)  
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and identifies three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.  Level 1 fair values generally are supported by market transactions that occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and inputs to model-derived valuations that are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and often requiring significant management judgment or estimation, such as an entity’s own assumptions about the cash flows or other significant components of value that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.


 
33

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below as of the dates indicated:

Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2009

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Assets
                       
Investments:
                       
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
                       
Corporate                                             
  $ -     $ 25,917.2     $ 595.5     $ 26,512.7  
U.S. Treasury, government and
                               
agency                                          
    -       2,668.3       -       2,668.3  
States and political subdivisions
    -       159.3       53.4       212.7  
Foreign governments                                             
    -       283.4       19.3       302.7  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       141.8       1,962.7       2,104.5  
Residential mortgage-backed(1)
    -       2,958.7       6.7       2,965.4  
Asset-backed(2)                                             
    -       184.2       243.4       427.6  
Redeemable preferred stock                                             
    218.2       1,317.7       13.5       1,549.4  
Subtotal                                          
    218.2       33,630.6       2,894.5       36,743.3  
Other equity investments                                                
    65.2       16.5       1.8       83.5  
Trading securities                                                
    454.4       86.5       -       540.9  
Other invested assets                                                
    -       645.8       436.6       1,082.4  
Loans to affiliates                                                   
    -       1,195.0       -       1,195.0  
Cash equivalents                                                   
    4,285.9       -       -       4,285.9  
Segregated securities                                                   
    1,246.1       -       -       1,246.1  
GMIB reinsurance contracts                                                   
    -       -       1,265.4       1,265.4  
Separate Accounts’ assets                                                   
    72,595.3       1,560.9       261.8       74,418.0  
Total Assets                                             
  $ 78,865.1     $ 37,135.3     $ 4,860.1     $ 120,860.5  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
GWBL features’ liability                                                   
  $ -     $ -     $ 123.4     $ 123.4  
Total Liabilities                                             
  $ -     $ -     $ 123.4     $ 123.4  

(1)      Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized obligations.
(2)      Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages and other asset types and credit tenant loans.
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2008
 
     Level 1    
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Assets
                       
Investments:
                       
Fixed maturities, available for sale
  $ 200.6     $ 30,167.5     $ 3,047.8     $ 33,415.9  
Other equity investments
    67.2       -       2.7       69.9  
Trading securities
    322.6       -       .1       322.7  
Other invested assets
    35.4       1,135.3       547.0       1,717.7  
Loans to affiliates
    -       1,133.5       -       1,133.5  
Cash equivalents
    6,787.7       -       -       6,787.7  
Segregated securities
    2,572.6       -       -       2,572.6  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       1,985.3       1,985.3  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    68,008.6       1,271.1       334.7       69,614.4  
Total Assets
  $ 77,994.7     $ 33,707.4     $ 5,917.6     $ 117,619.7  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
GWBL features’ liability
  $ -     $ -     $ 272.6     $ 272.6  
Total Liabilities
  $ -     $ -     $ 272.6     $ 272.6  

 
34

 
At June 30, 2009, investments classified as Level 1 comprise approximately 66.3% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include redeemable preferred stock, cash and cash equivalents and Separate Accounts assets.  Fair value measurements classified as Level 1 include exchange-traded prices of fixed maturities, equity securities and derivative contracts, and net asset values for transacting subscriptions and redemptions of mutual fund shares held by Separate Accounts.  Cash equivalents classified as Level 1 include money market accounts, overnight commercial paper and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, and are carried at cost as a proxy for fair value measurement due to their short-term nature.  Segregated securities classified as Level 1 are U.S. Treasury Bills segregated by AllianceBernstein in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of brokerage customers, as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act and for which fair values are based on quoted yields in secondary markets.

At June 30, 2009, investments classified as Level 2 comprise approximately 30.7% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include U.S. government and agency securities and certain corporate debt securities, such as private fixed maturities.  As market quotes generally are not readily available or accessible for these securities, their fair value measures are determined utilizing relevant information generated by market transactions involving comparable securities and often are based on model pricing techniques that effectively discount prospective cash flows to present value using appropriate sector-adjusted credit spreads commensurate with the security’s duration, also taking into consideration issuer-specific credit quality and liquidity.  These valuation methodologies have been studied and evaluated by AXA Financial Group in connection with its adoption of SFAS No. 157 and the resulting prices determined to be representative of exit values.

Observable inputs generally used to measure the fair value of securities classified as Level 2 include benchmark yields, reported secondary trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data.  Additional observable inputs are used when available, and as may be appropriate, for certain security types, such as prepayment, default, and collateral information for purpose of measuring the fair value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  At June 30, 2009, approximately $2,496.5 million AAA-rated mortgage- and asset- backed securities are classified as Level 2, including commercial mortgage obligations, for which the observability of market inputs to their pricing models is supported by sufficient, albeit more recently contracted, market activity in these sectors.

As disclosed in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the net fair value of freestanding derivative positions is approximately $698.1 million at June 30, 2009, or approximately 24.8% of Other invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The majority of these derivative contracts is traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative market and is classified in Level 2.  The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the OTC market are determined using quantitative models that require use of the contractual terms of the derivative instruments and multiple market inputs, including interest rates, prices, and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves and volatility factors, which then are applied to value the positions.  The predominance of market inputs is actively quoted and can be validated through external sources or reliably interpolated if less observable.

The credit risk of the counterparty and of AXA Financial Group are considered in determining the fair values of all OTC derivative asset and liability positions, respectively, after taking into account the effects of master netting agreements and collateral arrangements.  Each reporting period, AXA Financial Group values its derivative positions using the standard swap curve and evaluates whether to adjust the embedded credit spread to reflect deterioration in counterparty or its own credit standing.  As a result, AXA Financial Group reduced the fair value of its OTC derivative asset exposures by $8.2 million at June 30, 2009 to recognize incremental counterparty non-performance risk.  The unadjusted swap curve was determined to be reflective of the non-performance risk of AXA Financial Group for purpose of determining the fair value of its OTC liability positions at June 30, 2009.

At June 30, 2009, investments classified as Level 3 comprise approximately 3.0% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include corporate debt securities, such as private fixed maturities. Determinations to classify fair value measures within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy generally are based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement.  Included in the Level 3 classification at June 30, 2009 were approximately $399.1 million of fixed maturities with indicative pricing obtained from brokers that otherwise could not be corroborated to market observable data.  AXA Financial Group applies various due-diligence procedures, as considered appropriate, to validate these non-binding broker quotes for reasonableness, based on its understanding of the markets, including use of internally-developed assumptions about inputs a market participant would use to price the security.  In addition, approximately $2,206.0 million of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including CMBS, are classified as Level 3 at June 30, 2009.  Prior to fourth quarter 2008, pricing of these CMBS was sourced from a third party service, whose process placed significant reliance on market trading activity.  Beginning in fourth quarter 2008, the lack of sufficient observable trading data made it difficult, at best, to validate prices of CMBS below the senior AAA tranche for which limited trading continued.  Consequently, AXA Financial Group instead applied a risk-adjusted present value technique to the projected cash flows of these securities, as adjusted for origination year, default metrics, and level of subordination, with the objective of maximizing observable inputs, and weighted the result with a 10% attribution to pricing sourced from the third party service.  At adoption of FSP 157-4 in second quarter 2009, and as described in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, AXA Financial Group demonstrated ongoing insufficient frequency and volume of activity in these markets to provide reliable fair value measurements.  Consequently, at June 30, 2009, AXA Financial Group continued to apply this methodology to produce a more representative measure of the fair values of these CMBS holdings in the circumstances.

 
35

 
Level 3 also includes the GMIB reinsurance asset and the GWBL features’ liability, which are accounted for as derivative contracts in accordance with SFAS No. 133.  The GMIB reinsurance asset reflects the present value of reinsurance premiums and recoveries and risk margins over a range of market consistent economic scenarios while the GWBL related liability reflects the present value of expected future payments (benefits) less fees, adjusted for risk margins, attributable to the GWBL feature over a range of market-consistent economic scenarios.  The valuations of both the GMIB asset and GWBL features’ liability incorporate significant non-observable assumptions related to policyholder behavior, risk margins and projections of equity Separate Account funds consistent with the S&P 500 Index.  Using methodology similar to that described for measuring non-performance risk of OTC derivative exposures, incremental adjustment is made to the resulting fair values of the GMIB asset to reflect deterioration in the claims-paying ratings of counterparties to the reinsurance treaties and of AXA Equitable, respectively.  After giving consideration to collateral arrangements, AXA Financial Group reduced the fair value of its GMIB asset by $21.4 million at June 30, 2009 to recognize incremental counterparty non-performance risk.  The unadjusted swap curve was determined to be reflective of the AA quality claims-paying rating of AXA Equitable, therefore, no incremental adjustment was made for non-performance risk for purpose of determining the fair value of the GWBL features’ liability embedded derivative at June 30, 2009.

 
36

 
 
The table below presents a reconciliation for all Level 3 assets for second quarter and the first half of 2009 and 2008:
 
 
Level 3 Instruments
Fair Value Measurements
(In Millions)
 
   
Corporate
   
U.S.
Treasury,
Govt and
Agency
     
Foreign
Govts
   
State and
Political
Sub-
divisions
   
Commercial
Mortgage-
backed
   
Residential
Mortgage
backed
     
Asset-
backed
 
Discrete second quarter:
                                         
Balance, April 1, 2009
  $ 633.6     $ -     $ 17.7     $ 55.8     $ 1,768.1     $ 7.2     $ 300.7  
Total gains (losses),
                                                       
realized and unrealized,
                                                       
included in:
                                                       
Earnings as:
                                                       
Net investment income
    (.1 )     -       -       -       .8       -       (.1 )
Investment gains
                                                       
(losses), net 
    2.3       -       -       -       -       -       (9.9 )
(Decrease) increase
                                                       
in the fair value of the
                                                       
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal 
    2.2       -       -       -       .8       -       (10.0 )
Other comprehensive
                                                       
income
    22.7       -       1.6       (2.1 )     206.2       (.5 )     4.4  
Purchases/issuances and
                                                       
sales/settlements, net
    (25.9 )     -       -       (.3 )     (12.4 )     -       (20.1 )
Transfers into/out of
                                                       
Level 3(2) 
    (37.1 )     -       -       -       -       -       (31.6 )
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 595.5     $ -     $ 19.3     $ 53.4     $ 1,962.7     $ 6.7     $ 243.4  
                                                         
First six months of 2009:
                                                       
Balance, January 1, 2009
  $ 634.8     $ -     $ 64.0     $ 61.8     $ 1,921.3     $ 7.4     $ 335.3  
Total gains (losses),
                                                       
realized and unrealized,
                                                       
included in:
                                                       
Earnings as:
                                                       
Net investment income
    .2       -       -       -       1.6       -       (.7 )
Investment gains
                                                       
(losses), net 
    2.3       -       -       -       -       -       (14.5 )
(Decrease) increase
                                                       
in the fair value of the
                                                       
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal 
    2.5       -       -       -       1.6       -       (15.2 )
Other comprehensive
                                                       
income 
    19.2       -       1.1       (9.5 )     56.5       (.5 )     (4.4 )
Purchases/issuances and
                                                       
sales/settlements, net
    (12.1 )     -       .8       1.1       (16.7 )     (.2 )     (40.1 )
Transfers into/out of
                                                       
Level 3(2)  
    (48.9 )     -       (46.6 )     -       -       -       (32.2 )
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 595.5     $ -     $ 19.3     $ 53.4     $ 1,962.7     $ 6.7     $ 243.4  
 
(2)     Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.

 
37

 
 
 
   
Redeem-
able
Preferred
Stock
   
Other
Equity
Investments(1)
   
Other
Invested
Assets
   
GMIB
Reinsurance
Asset
   
Separate
Accounts
Assets
   
GWBL
Features
Liability
 
Discrete second quarter:
                                   
Balance, April 1, 2009
  $ 13.0     $ 2.7     $ 433.1     $ 1,683.1     $ 300.2     $ 260.1  
Total gains (losses),
                                               
realized and unrealized,
                                               
included in:
                                               
Earnings as:
                                               
Net investment income
    .1       -       (20.9 )             (36.7 )        
Investment gains
                                               
(losses), net  
    -       -       -               -          
(Decrease) increase
                                               
in the fair value of the
                                               
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       (434.6 )     -          
Policyholders’ benefits
                                            (139.7 )
Subtotal                              
    .1       -       (20.9 )     (434.6 )     (36.7 )     (139.7 )
Other comprehensive
                                               
income                                
    .4       (.2 )     -               -          
Purchases/issuances and
                                               
sales/settlements, net
    -       (.7 )     24.4       16.9       (1.6 )     3.0  
Transfers into/out of
                                               
Level 3(2)                                 
    -       -       -               (.1 )        
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 13.5     $ 1.8     $ 436.6     $ 1,265.4     $ 261.8     $ 123.4  
                                                 
First six months of 2009:
                                               
Balance, January 1, 2009
  $ 23.3     $ 2.9     $ 547.0     $ 1,985.3     $ 334.7     $ 272.6  
Total gains (losses),
                                               
realized and unrealized,
                                               
included in:
                                               
Earnings as:
                                               
Net investment income
    .1       -       (159.5 )             (69.0        
Investment gains
                                               
(losses), net 
    -       -       -               -          
(Decrease) increase
                                               
in the fair value of the
                                               
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       (743.9 )     -          
Policyholders’ benefits
                                            (154.1 )
Subtotal                              
    .1       -       (159.5 )     (743.9 )     (69.0 )     (154.1 )
Other comprehensive
                                               
income    
    (9.9 )     (.2 )     -               -          
Purchases/issuances and
                                               
sales/settlements, net
    -       (.9 )     49.1       24.0       (4.8 )     4.9  
Transfers into/out of
                                               
Level 3(2)    
    -       -       -               .9          
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 13.5     $ 1.8     $ 436.6     $ 1,265.4     $ 261.8     $ 123.4  
 
(1)      Includes Trading securities’ Level 3 amount.
(2)     Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.

 
38

 
 
   
Fixed
Maturities
Available
For Sale
   
Other
Equity
Investments(1)
     
Other
Invested
Assets
     
GMIB
Reinsurance
Asset
     
Separate
Accounts
Assets
 
Discrete second quarter:
                             
Balance, April 1, 2008
  $ 2,673.9     $ 3.0     $ 291.3     $ 530.7     $ 27.7  
Total gains (losses),
                                       
realized and unrealized,
                                       
included in:
                                       
    Earnings as:                                        
Net investment income
    .6       -       (124.4 )     -       .6  
Investment gains
                                       
(losses), net                            
    (32.8 )     (.4 )     -       -       -  
(Decrease) increase
                                       
in the fair value of the
                                       
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       (236.0 )     -  
               Subtotal     (32.2 )     (.4 )     (124.4 )     (236.0 )     .6  
    Other comprehensive                                        
income                              
    10.7       -       -       -       -  
Purchases/issuances and
                                       
sales/settlements, net
    28.3       (.1 )     9.1       14.7       (1.6 )
Transfers into/out of
                                       
Level 3(2)                             
    59.8       -       (.1 )     -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 2,740.5     $ 2.5     $ 175.9     $ 309.4     $ 26.7  
                                         
First half of 2008:
                                       
Balance, Dec. 31, 2007
  $ 3,103.7     $ 3.9     $ 158.0     $ 124.6     $ 41.2  
Impact of adopting
                                       
SFAS No. 157, included
                                       
in earnings                                
    -       -       -       209.2       -  
Balance, Jan. 1, 2008                                   
    3,103.7       3.9       158.0       333.8       41.2  
Total gains (losses),
                                       
realized and unrealized,
                                       
included in:
                                       
    Earnings as:                                        
Net investment income
    .7       -       5.9       -       (4.8 )
Investment gains
                                       
(losses), net                            
    (47.4 )     (1.3 )     -       -       -  
(Decrease) increase
                                       
in the fair value of the
                                       
reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       (54.5 )     -  
               Subtotal     (46.7 )     (1.3 )     5.9       (54.5 )     (4.8 )
    Other comprehensive                                        
income                              
    (424.3 )     -       -       -       -  
Purchases/issuances and
                                       
sales/settlements, net
    (27.2 )     (.1 )     9.1       30.1       (9.7 )
Transfers into/out of
                                       
Level 3(2)                                 
    135.0       -       2.9       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 2,740.5     $ 2.5     $ 175.9     $ 309.4     $ 26.7  
                                         
(1)      Includes Trading securities’ Level 3 amount.
(2)     Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.



 
39

 

The table below details changes in unrealized gains (losses) for the discrete second quarter and first half of 2009 and 2008 by category for Level 3 assets still held at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

 
   
Earnings
             
     
Net
Investment
Income
   
Investment
Gains
(Losses),
Net
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Reinsurance
Contracts
   
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
     
Policy-
holder
Benefits
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Level 3 Instruments
                             
Second Quarter 2009
                             
Still Held at June 30, 2009:
                             
Change in unrealized gains
                             
or losses
                             
Fixed maturities,
                             
available for sale:
                             
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 11.9     $ -  
U.S. Treasury, government
                                       
and agency
    -       -       -       -       -  
State and political
                                       
subdivisions
    -       -       -       (2.1 )     -  
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       1.6       -  
Commercial
                                       
mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       198.2       -  
Residential
                                       
mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       (.5 )     -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       (8.4 )     -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       .4       -  
Subtotal
    -       -       -       201.1       -  
Equity securities,
                                       
available for sale
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other equity investments
    -       -       -       (.2 )     -  
Other invested assets
    3.5       -       -       -       -  
Cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -       -  
Segregated securities
    -       -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       (434.6 )     -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    (36.7     -       -       -       -  
GWBL features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       (139.7 )
Total
  $ (33.2 )   $ -     $ (434.6 )   $ 200.9     $ (139.7 )



 
40

 

 
   
Earnings
             
     
Net
Investment
Income
   
Investment
Gains
(Losses),
Net
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Reinsurance
Contracts
   
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
     
Policy-
holder
Benefits
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Level 3 Instruments
                             
First Six Months of 2009
                             
Still Held at June 30, 2009:
                             
Change in unrealized gains
                             
or losses
                             
Fixed maturities,
                             
available for sale:
                             
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 7.6     $ -  
U.S. Treasury, government
                                       
and agency
    -       -       -       -       -  
State and political
                                       
subdivisions
    -       -       -       (9.5 )     -  
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       1.1       -  
Commercial
                                       
mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       48.5       -  
Residential
                                       
mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       (.5 )     -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       (17.2 )     -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       (9.9 )     -  
Subtotal
    -       -       -       20.1       -  
Equity securities,
                                       
available for sale
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other equity investments
    -       -       -       .3       -  
Other invested assets
    (110.4 )     -       -       -       -  
Cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -       -  
Segregated securities
    -       -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       (743.9 )     -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    (69.0 )     -       -       -       -  
GWBL features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       (154.1 )
Total
  $ (179.4 )   $ -     $ (743.9 )   $ 20.4     $ (154.1 )
                                         


 
41

 

 
   
Earnings
       
   
Net
Investment
Income
   
Investment
Gains
(Losses),
Net
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Reinsurance
Contracts
   
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Level 3 Instruments:
                       
Second Quarter 2008
                       
Still Held at June 30, 2008:
                       
Change in unrealized gains
                       
or losses
                       
Fixed maturities
                       
available for sale
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 10.1  
Other equity investments
    -       -       -       -  
Other invested assets
    (115.3 )     -       -       -  
Cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -  
Segregated securities
    -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       (221.3 )     -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    -       -       -       -  
GWBL features’ liability
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ (115.3 )   $ -     $ (221.3 )   $ 10.1  
                                 
First Six Months of 2008
                               
Still Held at June 30, 2008:
                               
Change in unrealized gains
                               
or losses
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
available for sale
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (423.8 )
Other equity investments
    -       -       -       -  
Other invested assets
    15.0       -       -       -  
Cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -  
Segregated securities
    -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       (184.8 )     -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    (4.1 )     -       -       -  
GWBL features’ liability
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 10.9     $ -     $ (184.8 )   $ (423.8 )

Fair value measurements are required on a non-recurring basis for certain assets, including goodwill, mortgage loans on real estate, equity real estate held for production of income, and equity real estate held for sale, only when an other-than-temporary impairment or other event occurs.  When such fair value measurements are recorded, they must be classified and disclosed within the fair value hierarchy.  In second quarter and the first half of both 2009 and 2008, no assets were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

 
42

 
The carrying values and fair values at June 30, 2009 for financial instruments not otherwise disclosed in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in the table below.  Certain financial instruments are exempt from the requirements for fair value disclosure, such as insurance liabilities other than financial guarantees and investment contracts and pension and other postretirement obligations.

   
Carrying
       
   
Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In Millions)
 
             
Consolidated:
           
Mortgage loans on real estate
  $ 5,069.4     $ 4,872.1  
Other limited partnership interests
    1,352.0       1,352.0  
Policyholders liabilities:
               
Investment contracts                                           
    3,559.0       3,529.4  
Long-term debt                                              
    1,029.7    
969.2
 
                 
Closed Blocks:
               
Mortgage loans on real estate
    1,958.5       1,863.8  
Other equity investments                                              
    1.6       1.6  
SCNILC liability                                              
    8.2       8.2  
                 
Wind-up Annuities:
               
Mortgage loans on real estate
    151.1       151.1  
Other equity investments                                              
    1.3       1.3  
Guaranteed interest contracts
    5.5       6.2  

Fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are measured by discounting future contractual cash flows using interest rates at which loans with similar characteristics and credit quality would be made.  Fair values for foreclosed mortgage loans and problem mortgage loans are limited to the fair value of the underlying collateral if lower.

Other limited partnership interests and other equity investments, including interests in investment companies, are accounted for under the equity method and their resulting carrying values are used as a proxy for fair value measurement.

The fair values for AXA Financial Group’s association plan contracts, supplementary contracts not involving life contingencies (“SCNILC”) and certain annuities, which are included in Policyholders’ account balances, and guaranteed interest contracts are estimated using projected cash flows discounted at rates reflecting current market rates.

The fair values for single premium deferred annuities, included in policyholders’ account balances, are estimated as the discounted value of projected cash flows.  Expected cash flows and projected account values are discounted back to the present at current market rates.

Fair values for long-term debt are determined using published market values, where available, or contractual cash flows discounted at market interest rates.  The fair values for non-recourse mortgage debt are determined by discounting contractual cash flows at a rate that takes into account the level of current market interest rates and collateral risk.  The fair values for recourse mortgage debt are determined by discounting contractual cash flows at a rate based upon current interest rates of other companies with credit ratings similar to AXA Financial Group.  AXA Financial Group’s fair value of short-term borrowings approximates its carrying value.  The fair values of AXA Financial Group’s borrowing and lending arrangements with AXA affiliated entities are determined in the same manner as herein described for such transactions with third-parties.


 
43

 


8)  
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Generally, AXA Financial Group's funding policy to its qualified pension plans (other than those of AllianceBernstein) is to make annual aggregate contributions of approximately $30.0 million unless the minimum contributions required by ERISA are greater. AllianceBernstein's policy is to satisfy its funding obligation to its qualified retirement plan each year in an amount not less than the minimum required by ERISA and not greater than the maximum it can deduct for Federal income tax purposes.
 
In the first six months of 2009, cash contributions by AllianceBernstein and AXA Financial Group (other than AllianceBernstein) to their respective qualified pension plans were $12.0 million and $9.5 million, with further $0.8 million and $9.5 million in contributions in July 2009 to those same respective plans. AllianceBernstein and AXA Financial Group currently estimate they will make additional contributions to their respective qualified retirement plans of $0.7 million and $38.0 million before year end 2009.
 
Components of net periodic pension expense for the qualified and non-qualified plans follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(In Millions)
                         
Service cost                                                      
  $ 14.1     $ 14.5     $ 28.2     $ 29.1  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    48.1       48.5       96.2       96.9  
Expected return on assets                                                      
    (35.5 )     (57.6 )     (70.9 )     (115.3 )
Net amortization and deferrals                                                      
    28.7       13.4       57.4       26.1  
Net Periodic Pension Expense                                                      
  $ 55.4     $ 18.8     $ 110.9     $ 36.8  

Components of net postretirement benefit costs follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                         
Service cost                                                        
  $ .6     $ .7     $ 1.1     $ 1.3  
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
                               
benefit obligation                                                     
    8.8       8.9       17.6       17.9  
Net amortization and deferrals                                                        
    .6       1.2       1.2       2.1  
Net Postretirement Benefits                                                        
  $ 10.0     $ 10.8     $ 19.9     $ 21.3  

Components of net postemployment benefit costs follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     
2009
     
2008
     
2009
     
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
                                 
Service cost                                                       
  $ 1.2     $ 1.2     $ 2.4     $ 2.4  
Interest cost projected benefit obligation
    .4       .4       .7       .8  
Net Periodic Postemployment Costs
  $ 1.6     $ 1.6     $ 3.1     $ 3.2  

On June 27, 2008, AXA Financial announced certain benefit plans changes.  Subject to specific grandfathering provisions, active participants in certain MONY Life retirement plans will accrue future benefits under formulas the same as or similar to those provided under AXA Equitable plans.  Some of these changes took effect as of October 1, 2008 while others took effect as of January 1, 2009.  In addition, effective January 1, 2009, certain sales force participants under AXA Equitable’s non-qualified pension plan received their plan benefits on an annual basis rather than after separation from service.  Also, retiree life coverage for former MONY Life employees and sales force were adjusted to the standard amount offered under the AXA Equitable Group Life Insurance Plan as of January 1, 2009, subject to certain grandfathering provisions.  In second quarter 2008, AXA Financial recognized an aggregate reduction in its pension and other postretirement benefits obligations of approximately $35.3 million resulting from remeasurement of the respective benefit obligations coincident with announcement of these modifications in benefits entitlements.  This reduction was reflected as an increase in other comprehensive income and will reduce net periodic benefit cost in future periods based on applicable recognition or amortization requirements.


 
44

 


9)  
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

For the second quarter and first half of 2009 and of 2008, respectively, AXA Financial Group recognized compensation costs of $23.5 million, $29.4 million, $21.6 million and $41.2 million for share-based payment arrangements.

On May 10, 2009, approximately 318,051 performance units earned under the AXA Performance Unit Plan 2007 were fully vested for total value of approximately $5.1 million.  Distributions to participants were made on May 21, 2009, resulting in cash settlements of approximately 85% of these performance units for aggregate value of approximately $4.3 million and equity settlements of the remainder with approximately 46,615 restricted AXA ADRs for aggregate value of approximately $0.8 million.  These AXA ADRs were sourced from settlement on May 10, 2009 of a forward purchase contract entered into on September 26, 2007 by which AXA Financial took delivery of 78,000 shares for payment of approximately $3.6 million.

On March 20, 2009, approximately 1.7 million options to purchase AXA ordinary shares were granted under the terms of the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of 10.00 euros.  Approximately 1.4 million of those options have a four-year graded vesting schedule, with one-third vesting on each of the second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, and approximately 0.3 million have a four-year cliff vesting term.  In addition, approximately 0.2 million of the total options awarded on March 20, 2009 are further subject to conditional vesting terms that require the AXA ordinary share price to outperform the Euro Stoxx Insurance Index measured between March 20, 2009 and March 20, 2013.  All of the options granted on March 20, 2009 have a ten-year contractual term.  The weighted average grant date fair value per option award was estimated at $2.57 using a Monte-Carlo simulation approach to model the value of the conditional vesting feature.  Key assumptions used in the valuation included expected volatility of 57.5%, a weighted average expected term of 5.5 years, an expected dividend yield of 10.69% and a risk-free interest rate of 2.74%.  The total fair value of this award, net of expected forfeitures, of approximately $3.7 million is charged to expense over the shorter of the vesting term or the period up to the date at which the participant becomes retirement eligible.  In second quarter and first half of 2009, the expense associated with the March 20, 2009 grant of options was approximately $1.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

On March 20, 2009, under the terms of the AXA Performance Unit Plan 2009, the AXA Management Board awarded approximately 1.3 million unearned performance units to employees of AXA Financial’s subsidiaries.  During each year that the performance unit awards are outstanding, a pro-rata portion of the units may be earned based on criteria measuring the performance of AXA and AXA Financial Group.  The extent to which performance targets are met determines the number of performance units earned, which may vary between 0% and 130% of the number of performance units at stake.  Performance units earned under the 2009 plan cliff-vest on the second anniversary of their award date.  When fully-vested, the performance units earned will be settled in cash or, in some cases, a combination of cash (70%) and stock (30%), the latter equity portion having transfer restrictions for a two-year period.  For 2009 awards, the price used to value the performance units at settlement will be the average opening price of the AXA ordinary share for the last 20 trading days of the vesting period converted to U.S. dollars using the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate on March 31, 2011.  In second quarter and first half of 2009, the expense associated with the March 20, 2009 grant of performance units was approximately $5.5 million and $7.5 million, respectively.

On June 16, 2008, AXA Financial entered into a total return swap and a forward purchase contract on the AXA ADR to limit its price exposure on awards expected to vest on April 1, 2010 under the terms of the AXA Performance Unit Plan 2008.  Terms of the swap agreement require quarterly payments by AXA Financial of a LIBOR-based spread in exchange for a total return payment on the AXA ADR based on 773,000 notional shares.  The forward purchase contract requires AXA Financial to take delivery of 220,000 AXA ADRs on April 10, 2010 for payment of $33.7329 per share, or approximately $7.4 million.  The forward purchase obligation has been recognized by AXA Financial Group in its consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 as a direct reduction of capital in excess of par value and does not require adjustment in future periods for changes in value.


 
45

 


10)  
INCOME TAXES

Income taxes for the interim periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008 have been computed using an estimated annual effective tax rate.  This rate is revised, if necessary, at the end of each successive interim period to reflect the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate.  In addition, the period ended June 30, 2009 reflected an additional benefit in the amount of $15.1 million for the release of tax audit reserves held by the Investment Management segment.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, unrecognized tax benefits under FIN 48 decreased by $57.3 million from $605.8 million at December 31, 2008 to $548.5 million.  The decrease was attributable to the completion of various state and city tax audits and developments in the Federal tax law for the Investment Management segment.  Of the total $548.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits held at June 30, 2009, $434.2 million would affect the effective tax rate and $114.3 million are tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.


11)  
LITIGATION

There have been no new material legal proceedings and no material developments in specific litigations previously reported in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, except as described below:

In Wiggenhorn, in April 2009, plaintiffs filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States.

In the Meola consolidated wage and hour litigation, in May 2009, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement and the settlement proceeds were turned over to the Class Administrator.  In June 2009, notices were sent out to class members.

Although the outcome of litigation generally cannot be predicted with certainty, management intends to vigorously defend against the allegations made by the plaintiffs in the actions described above and those described in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, and believes that the ultimate resolution of the litigation described therein involving AXA Financial and/or its subsidiaries should not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of AXA Financial Group.  Management cannot make an estimate of loss, if any, or predict whether or not any of the litigations described above or in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 will have a material adverse effect on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated results of operations in any particular period.

In addition to the matters described above and in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, lawsuits continue to be filed against life and health insurers in the jurisdictions in which AXA Equitable, MONY Life, and their respective insurance subsidiaries do business involving insurers’ sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, alleged failure to properly supervise agents, contract administration and other matters.  The resolution of lawsuits alleging these and other claims in the past have resulted in the award of substantial judgments against other insurers, including material amounts of punitive damages, or in substantial settlements.  In some states, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages.  AXA Equitable, AXA Life, MONY Life, MLOA and USFL, like other life and health insurers, from time to time are involved in such litigations.  Some of these actions and proceedings filed against AXA Financial and its subsidiaries have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of claimants and certain of these claimants seek damages of unspecified amounts.  While the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management no such pending matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  However, it should be noted that the frequency of large damage awards, including large punitive damage awards that bear little or no relation to actual economic damages incurred by plaintiffs in some jurisdictions, continues to create the potential for an unpredictable judgment in any given matter.

 
46

 

12)  
SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following tables reconcile segment revenues and earnings from continuing operations before income taxes to total revenues and earnings as reported on the consolidated statements of earnings and segment assets to total assets on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Segment revenues:
                       
Financial Advisory/Insurance                                                
  $ (2,534.8 )   $ 1,815.5     $ (835.2 )   $ 5,080.6  
Investment Management (1)
    729.2       1,073.9       1,330.4       2,108.3  
Consolidation/elimination                                                
    (8.3 )     (21.2 )     (14.4 )     (42.6 )
Total Revenues                                                
  $ (1,813.9 )   $ 2,868.2     $ 480.8     $ 7,146.3  

(1)   Net of interest expense incurred on securities borrowed.

Segment (loss) earnings from continuing
                       
operations before income taxes:
                       
Financial Advisory/Insurance                                                
  $ (3,291.9 )   $ 619.0     $ (3,392.4 )   $ 1,419.4  
Investment Management                                                
    114.9       318.6       126.0       569.4  
Consolidation/elimination                                                
    1.1       -       1.1       (.5 )
Total (Loss) Earnings from Continuing
                               
Operations before Income Taxes
  $ (3,175.9 )   $ 937.6     $ (3,265.3 )   $ 1,988.3  

 
   
June 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Segment assets:
           
Financial Advisory/Insurance                                                                                         
  $ 146,190.2     $ 144,467.7  
Investment Management                                                                                         
    12,344.9       13,377.3  
Consolidation/elimination                                                                                         
    (42.7 )     (21.5 )
Total Assets                                                                                         
  $ 158,492.4     $ 157,823.5  

 
47

 

13)  
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The components of comprehensive (loss) income follow:


 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
(In Millions)
   
Net (loss) earnings                                                           
  $ (1,996.7 )   $ 657.8     $ (2,031.0 )   $ 1,364.4  
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
                               
Change in unrealized losses,
                               
net of reclassification adjustment
    967.9       (278.3 )     645.7       (618.0 )
Change in defined benefit plan related items
                               
not yet recognized in periodic benefit cost,
                               
net of reclassification adjustment
    (29.3 )     31.4       (31.4 )     40.1  
Total other comprehensive income (loss),
                               
net of income taxes                     
    938.6       (246.9 )     614.3       (577.9 )
Comprehensive (loss) income        
    (1,058.1 )     410.9       (1,416.7 )     786.5  
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable
                               
to noncontrolling interest  
    28.0       (1.0 )     3.9       .5  
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
                               
Attributable to AXA Financial, Inc.
  $ (1,030.1 )   $ 409.9     $ (1,412.8 )   $ 787.0  
 


 
48

 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Management’s discussion and analysis is omitted pursuant to General Instruction H of Form 10-Q.  The management narrative for AXA Financial Group that follows should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein, with information provided under “Forward-looking Statements” included elsewhere herein and with the management narrative found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and the “Risk Factors” sections included in AXA Financial, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (“2008 Form 10-K”).
 
 
INTRODUCTION

Since year-end 2008, the equity markets have been volatile with equity markets substantially down through the first quarter 2009 and then generally recovering during the second quarter 2009.  During this period, U.S. Treasury interest rate yields increased, especially on longer maturities.  For example, the 10 year U.S. Treasury yield increased by approximately 140 basis points from 2.25% at year-end 2008 to 3.56% at the end of the second quarter 2009.  Volatility for both equity markets and interest rates remained above their respective long-term averages, but considerably below the levels experienced in the fourth quarter 2008.  Market volatility, equity market performance and interest rate levels all impact AXA Financial Group’s business and consolidated results of operations.

For information on measures management has taken to mitigate the effects of market volatility, equity market performance and interest rates, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the 2008 Form 10-K.


GENERAL

In recent years, variable annuity products with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features (the “VA Guarantee Features”) have been the predominant products issued by AXA Equitable.  These products account for over half of AXA Equitable’s Separate Accounts assets and have been a significant driver of its results.  Because the future claims exposure on these products is sensitive to movements in the equity markets and interest rates, the Insurance Group has in place hedging and reinsurance programs that are designed to mitigate the impact of movements in the equity markets and interest rates.  These programs generally include, among others, the following:

·  
GMIB reinsurance contracts.  GMIB reinsurance contracts are used to cede to affiliated and non-affiliated reinsurers a portion of the exposure on variable annuity products that offer the GMIB feature.  Under U.S. GAAP, the GMIB reinsurance contracts ceded to non-affiliated reinsurers are accounted for as derivatives and are reported at fair value.  Gross reserves for GMIB, on the other hand, are calculated under U.S. GAAP on the basis of assumptions related to projected benefits and related contract charges over the lives of the contracts and therefore will not immediately reflect the offsetting impact on future claims exposure resulting from the same capital market and/or interest rate fluctuations that cause gains or losses on the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts. Because the changes in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts are recorded in the period in which they occur while offsetting changes in gross reserves for GMIB will be recognized over time, earnings will tend to be more volatile, particularly during periods in which equity markets and/or interest rates change significantly. This was the case in second quarter 2009 as the significant increase in long-term interest rates caused a decline in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts, which was not fully offset by the change in the gross reserves, contributing to the significant loss for the period.

·  
Hedging programs.  Hedging programs are used to hedge certain risks associated with the VA Guarantee Features.  These programs currently utilize various derivative instruments that are managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in VA Guarantee Features’ exposures attributable to movements in the equity markets and interest rates.  Although these programs are designed to provide a measure of economic protection against the impact adverse market conditions may have with respect to VA Guarantee Features, they do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP, meaning that as in the case of the GMIB reinsurance contracts, changes in the value of the derivatives will be recognized in the period in which they occur while offsetting changes in reserves will be recognized over time, which will contribute to earnings volatility. This was the case in second quarter 2009, as significant increases in equity markets and long-term interest rates caused a decline in the fair value of derivatives used in these hedging programs, which was not fully offset by the change in the gross reserves, contributing to the significant loss for the period.


 
 
49

 
 
For the first half of 2009, the decrease in consolidated net earnings and earnings from continuing operations were largely due to the increase in interest rates which resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts and hedging program derivatives, which were not fully offset by the change in the U.S. GAAP reserves.  Conversely, during fiscal year 2008, the decline in the equity markets and interest rates resulted in increases to the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts and hedging program derivatives, which significantly exceeded the change in the gross reserves, significantly contributing to the earnings for full year 2008.  The table below shows, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2008, the impact on (Loss) earnings from continuing operations before income taxes of the items discussed above (prior to the impact of Amortization of deferred acquisition costs):

     
Year ended
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2008
 
 
(In Millions)
 
                   
Decrease (increase) in GMDB, GMIB and GWBL
                 
reserves, net of related GMDB reinsurance (1)
  $ 456.3     $ (88.5 )   $ (2,612.0 )
(Decrease) increase in fair value of
                       
GMIB reinsurance contracts (2)                                                           
    (719.9 )     184.8       1,860.7  
(Losses) gains on free-standing derivatives (3)
    (4,095.5 )     552.1       6,753.5  
Total                                                              
  $ (4,359.1 )   $ 648.4     $ 6,002.2  

(1)  
Reported in Policyholders’ benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings
(2)  
Reported in (Decrease) increase in fair value of reinsurance contracts in the consolidated statement of earnings
(3)  
Reported in Net investment (loss) income in the consolidated statement of earnings

The consolidated and segment results of operations narratives that follow discuss the results for the first six months of 2009 compared to the corresponding 2008 period’s results.


 
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CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2008

There was a $2.10 billion net loss attributable to the AXA Financial Group in the first half of 2009, a difference of $3.25 billion from the $1.15 billion of net earnings attributable to AXA Financial Group during first half of 2008.

Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest was $73.8 million in the first half of 2009 as compared to $215.2 million in the 2008 period; the decrease was principally due to lower AllianceBernstein earnings and the decrease in AXA Financial Group’s ownership percentage.

A total enterprise net loss of $2.03 billion was reported in the first half of 2009, a decrease of $3.39 billion from the $1.36 billion of net earnings reported for the first half of 2008.  The first half of 2008 net earnings included $68.2 million related to the positive earnings impact of the January 1, 2008 adoption SFAS No. 157 on the GMIB reinsurance asset’s fair value (net of the related increases of $104.3 million in DAC amortization and $36.5 million in income taxes).

During the first half of 2009, the discontinued Wind-up Annuities business produced post-tax losses of $4.2 million as compared to zero in the corresponding 2008 period.  In the first half of 2008, a post-tax loss of $0.5 million was recognized related to the disposition of AXA Enterprise Funds with post-tax income of $0.7 million and losses of $3.3 million from the discontinued Enterprise operations reported in the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Post-tax earnings and gains from real estate held for sale, which are reported as discontinued operations, were $1.7 million and $6.3 million, respectively, in the first six months of 2008; there were no results from such real estate in the first half of 2009.

Income tax benefit in the first half of 2009 was $1.24 billion as compared to an income tax expense of $628.1 million in the first half of 2008.  The change was primarily due to the change in pre-tax (loss) earnings.  Included in the 2009 tax benefit was $15.1 million of tax benefit related to the release of tax audit reserves held by the Investment Management segment.  The tax benefit for the first six months of 2009 was greater than the expected tax benefit primarily due to the Separate Account dividends received deduction.

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes was $3.27 billion for the first half of 2009, as compared to the $1.99 billion in pre-tax earnings reported for the year earlier period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $3.39 billion in the first half of 2009, $4.81 billion lower than the first half of 2008’s earnings of $1.42 billion, was primarily due to net investment losses resulting from losses on derivative instruments, a decline in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts and lower commissions, fees and other income partially offset by lower policyholders’ benefits, lower DAC amortization as well as investment gains in the first half of 2009 instead of the 2008 period’s losses.  The Investment Management segment’s pre-tax earnings from continuing operations were $126.0 million in the first half of 2009, $443.4 million lower than in the first half of 2008, principally due to lower investment advisory and services fees partially offset by lower compensation and benefits at AllianceBernstein in the 2009 period.

Revenues.  In the first half of 2009, revenues decreased $6.67 billion to $480.8 million as a result of the $5.92 billion decrease for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment and the $777.9 million decrease for the Investment Management segment.  The revenue decline to a negative $835.2 million for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was principally due to net investment losses caused by declines in the fair values of derivative instruments, a decrease in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts as compared to an increase in the 2008 period, and lower commissions, fees and other income partially offset by investment gains rather than losses in the first half of 2009 while the decrease in revenues to $1.33 billion for the Investment Management segment resulted principally as lower investment advisory and services fees and lower distribution revenues at AllianceBernstein were partially offset by mark-to-market gains in the 2009 period rather than losses on its trading portfolio.

Policy fee income totaled $1.51 billion in the first half of 2009, $62.5 million lower than for the first half of 2008.  This decrease resulted from lower fees earned on lower average Separate Account balances due primarily to market depreciation during 2008, partially offset by higher life insurance policy charges and higher GMDB/GMIB fees.

 
51

 
In the first half of 2009, net investment losses totaled $2.84 billion, a decrease of $4.84 billion from the $2.00 billion of net investment income reported in the 2008 period.  The $4.91 million decline in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was partially offset by a $63.7 million increase in investment income in the Investment Management segment.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments (a $4.09 billion decline in fair value in the first half of 2009 as compared to an increase of $553.7 million in the first half of 2008).  Further respective decreases of $239.9 million, $28.2 million and $16.6 million were reported in investment income related to equity limited partnerships, short-term investments, and mortgage loans.  These declines were partially offset by the $20.5 million decrease in investment losses on Separate Accounts surplus.  The Investment Management segment’s increase was primarily due to mark-to-market gains on trading account securities of $34.8 million as compared to $70.4 million of mark-to-market losses in the first half of 2008 partially offset by $37.9 million lower interest earned on stock borrowing and loan activity, interest income and dividends at AllianceBernstein.

Investment gains totaled $88.7 million in the first half of 2009, as compared to losses of $37.6 million in the prior year’s comparable period primarily due to gains rather than losses in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment partially offset by lower gains in the Investment Management segment.  Net OTTI losses were $110.3 million in the 2009 period, as compared to $65.3 million in losses in the first half of 2008, primarily due to one issuer.  There were $183.2 million of other investment gains for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment in the first half of 2009 as compared to gains of $5.5 million in the first half of 2008 primarily due to $190.5 million of gains from the sale of General Account fixed maturities, up from $2.0 million in the year earlier period, partially offset by higher writedowns on fixed maturities ($110.3 million in the first half of 2009 as compared to $65.3 million in the first half of 2008) and $12.9 million lower gains on mortgage loans.  The Investment Management segment’s $6.4 million decrease resulted from the absence of $8.2 million in non-cash gains in the first half of 2008 that had resulted from the issuance of units to AllianceBernstein’s employees under long-term incentive plans during that period.  With the adoption of SFAS No. 160 in 2009, such increases and decreases in the noncontrolling interest are treated as changes in equity rather than as gains or losses, as was the previous accounting practice.

Commissions, fees and other income decreased $950.5 million to $1.71 billion in the first half of 2009 with $140.2 million lower income in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment and an $835.2 million decrease in the Investment Management segment.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment decrease to $452.2 million in the first half of 2009 was principally due to a $136.9 million decline in gross investment management and distribution fees received from EQAT and VIP Trust due to a lower asset base.  The Investment Management segment decrease was due to the $718.8 million, $94.6 million and $12.2 million respective decreases in investment advisory and services fees, distribution revenues and institutional research services income at AllianceBernstein in the first half of 2009 as compared to the first half of 2008.  The 44.6% decrease to $893.1 million in investment advisory and services fees was primarily due to a 41.5% decrease in average assets under management (“AUM”) and the impact of a shift in product mix toward fixed income services, which generally have lower fee rates than equity services, partially offset by slightly higher performance-based fees ($13.2 million and $11.7 million in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively).  The decline in distribution revenues to $122.6 million was principally due to lower average mutual fund AUM.  The decrease to $216.5 million in institutional research services revenues related to lower trading activity by hedge fund clients in first quarter 2009.

In the first half of 2009, there was a $719.9 million decrease in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as derivatives, as compared to a $184.8 million increase in their fair value in the first half of 2008; both periods’ changes reflected market fluctuations,  However, the 2008 period’s increase also included the January 1, 2008 increase of $209.2 million related to the fair value adjustment of the GMIB reinsurance contracts upon the adoption of SFAS No. 157.

Benefits and Other Deductions.  Total benefits and other deductions decreased $1.41 billion in the first half of 2009 to $3.75 billion principally due to the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s reported decrease of $1.10 billion primarily due to the decline in policyholders’ benefits, lower DAC and VOBA amortization and lower commissions in the first half of 2009 supplemented by the $334.5 million decline in the Investment Management segment.

Policyholders’ benefits totaled $1.11 billion, a decrease of $486.9 million from the $1.60 billion reported for the first half of 2008.  The decrease was principally due to a $307.0 million decline in the GMDB/GMIB reserves as compared to an $88.5 million increase in the year earlier period and a $149.3 million decrease in the GWBL reserve, partially offset by a $44.8 million increase in death claims and $16.6 million higher policyholder dividends.

 
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Total compensation and benefits decreased $193.0 million to $1.64 billion in the first half of 2009 primarily due to the decrease of $214.7 million for the Investment Management segment.  The Investment Management segment’s decrease in the first half of 2009 to $662.7 million resulted from: a $93.1 million decrease in incentive compensation at AllianceBernstein due to lower headcount, lower estimated year-end cash bonus payments and lower deferred compensation expense; $75.6 million lower commission expense reflecting lower sales volume and revenues across all three distribution channels; and a $54.4 million decrease in base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs due to lower salaries and fringe benefits reflecting lower headcounts and lower recruitment costs, partially offset by higher severance costs due to workforce reductions.  Compensation and benefits for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment increased $21.7 million to $502.3 million during the first half of 2009 as decreases in salaries and share-based compensation were more than offset by higher pension plan expenses resulting from the market driven depreciation in the fair value of the plan’s assets in 2008 and a lower expected rate of return on plan assets.

For the first half of 2009, commissions in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment totaled $485.2 million, a decrease of $208.9 million from the first half of 2008 principally due to lower sales of interest-sensitive life insurance and variable annuity products.

There was a $66.7 million decline in distribution plan payments in the Investment Management segment, from $157.9 million in the first half of 2008 to $91.2 million in the first half of 2009.  The decrease resulted from lower average Retail Services’ AUM at AllianceBernstein.

Interest expense rose $49.0 million to $152.2 million in the first half of 2009 as compared to $103.2 million in the comparable 2008 period, with the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s $59.6 million increase being partially offset by the Investment Management segment’s $10.1 million decline.  The increase to $128.5 million for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was due to a $60.0 million increase related to interest on the fourth quarter 2008 borrowings from AXA and a $3.3 million increase related to AXA Bermuda’s short-term credit facility , partially offset by the absence of $9.2 million of interest on the $250 million Senior Note and AXA Equitable’s short-term promissory note, both repaid in 2008.  The Investment Management segment’s decrease was the result of significantly lower interest rates and lower borrowing levels in the first half of 2009 as compared to the first half of 2008 at AllianceBernstein.

DAC and VOBA amortization was a negative $49.5 million in the first half of 2009, a decline of $599.2 million from the $549.7 million charge reported in the corresponding 2008 period.  In the first half 2009, the level of amortization for the DAC associated with the Accumulator® products was negative due to reactivity to negative gross profits in the first half of 2009 and lower projected future costs of hedging of the GMIB feature of the Accumulator® products as higher interest rates have reduced the projected hedge levels.  Due primarily to the significant decline in Separate Accounts balances during 2008, future estimated gross profits for certain issue years for the Accumulator® products were expected to be negative as the increases in the fair values of derivatives used to hedge certain risks related to these products are recognized in current earnings while the related reserves do not fully and immediately reflect the impact of equity markets and interest rate fluctuations.  As required under U.S. GAAP, for those issue years with future estimated negative gross profits, the DAC amortization method was changed in fourth quarter 2008 from one based on estimated gross profits to one based on estimated account balances for the Accumulator® products.  In second quarter 2009, the surrender assumption for the variable life products was updated to reflect emerging deterioration in persistency which resulted in an increase in amortization, which partially offset the negative DAC amortization associated with the Accumulator®  products. In the first half of 2008, DAC amortization reflected reactivity to a material increase in the fair value of the derivative instruments associated with the GMDB/GMIB hedging program and of the related GMIB reinsurance contracts.  This was offset by DAC unlocking, principally related to the recognition of higher estimated future margins associated with GMDB/GMIB hedging programs, higher expected fees related to variable life and annuity contracts, and expectations of life mortality improvements.

For universal life insurance products and investment-type products, DAC and VOBA are amortized over the expected total life of the contract group as a constant percentage of estimated gross profits arising principally from investment results, Separate Account fees, mortality and expense margins and surrender charges based on historical and anticipated future experience, updated at the end of each accounting period.  If, at any point in time, estimated gross profits are expected to be negative during the contract life, thereafter, DAC is amortized using the present value of estimated assessments.  The effect on the amortization of DAC and VOBA of revisions to estimated gross profits or assessments is reflected in earnings in the period such estimated gross profits or assessments are revised.  A decrease in expected gross profits or assessments would accelerate DAC and VOBA amortization.  Conversely, an increase in expected gross profits or assessments would slow DAC and VOBA amortization.  The effect on the DAC and VOBA assets that would result from realization of unrealized gains (losses) is recognized with an offset to accumulated comprehensive income in consolidated equity as of the balance sheet date.

 
53

 
A significant assumption in the amortization of DAC and VOBA on variable and interest-sensitive life insurance and variable annuities relates to projected future Separate Account performance.  Management sets estimated future gross profit assumptions related to Separate Account performance using a long-term view of expected average market returns by applying a reversion to the mean approach.  In applying this approach to develop estimates of future returns, it is assumed that the market will return to an average gross long-term return estimate, developed with reference to historical long-term equity market performance and subject to assessment of the reasonableness of resulting estimates of future return assumptions.  For purposes of making this reasonableness assessment, management has set limitations as to maximum and minimum future rate of return assumptions, as well as a limitation on the duration of use of these maximum or minimum rates of return.  Currently, the average gross long-term annual return estimate is 9.0% (6.7% net of product weighted average Separate Account fees), and the gross maximum and minimum short-term annual rate of return limitations are 15.0% (12.7% net of product weighted average Separate Account fees) and 0.0% ((2.3%) net of product weighted average Separate Account fees), respectively.  The maximum duration over which these rate limitations may be applied is 5 years.  This approach will continue to be applied in future periods.  If actual market returns continue at levels that would result in assuming future market returns of 15.0% for more than 5 years in order to reach the average gross long-term return estimate, the application of the 5 year maximum duration limitation would result in an acceleration of DAC and VOBA amortization.  Conversely, actual market returns resulting in assumed future market returns of 0.0% for more than 5 years would result in a required deceleration of DAC and VOBA amortization.  As of June 30, 2009, current projections of future average gross market returns assume a 5% annualized return for the next quarter, which is within the maximum and minimum limitations, and assume a reversion to the mean of 9% after one quarter.

In addition, projections of future mortality assumptions related to variable and interest-sensitive life insurance products are based on a long-term average of actual experience.  This assumption is updated quarterly to reflect recent experience as it emerges.  Improvement of life mortality in future periods from that currently projected would result in future deceleration of DAC and VOBA amortization.  Conversely, deterioration of life mortality in future periods from that currently projected would result in future acceleration of DAC and VOBA amortization.  Generally, life mortality experience has been improving in recent years.

Other significant assumptions underlying gross profit estimates relate to contract persistency and General Account investment spread.

DAC capitalization totaled $544.7 million, a decrease of $216.1 million from the $760.8 million reported in the first half of 2008 primarily due to lower sales of interest-sensitive life insurance and variable annuity products.

The $99.4 million decrease in other operating costs and expenses resulted from decreases of $94.0 million and $32.5 million for the Financial Advisory/Insurance and Investment Management segments, respectively.  The decrease in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was principally due to lower sub-advisory fees at EQAT and VIP Trust due to the declines in average asset balances as well as lower travel, advertising, telephone, postage and legal expenses, partially offset by higher consulting fees.  The Investment Management segment’s decrease in the first half of 2009 primarily resulted from lower travel and entertainment expenses and lower professional fees, partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses, at AllianceBernstein.

Premiums and Deposits.  Total premiums and deposits for insurance and annuity products for the first half of 2009 were $6.87 billion, a decrease of $2.72 billion from the $9.59 billion in the 2008 period while total first year premiums and deposits decreased $2.59 billion to $4.03 billion in the first half of 2009 from $6.62 billion in the first half of 2008.  The annuity lines’ first year premiums and deposits decreased $2.51 billion to $3.82 billion virtually all due to the 39.8% decrease in sales of variable annuities (decreases of $2.14 billion to $1.97 billion in the wholesale channel and of $362.9 million to $1.83 billion in the retail channel) due to the difficult economic and market environment and actions taken by management in response thereto.  First year premiums and deposits for the life insurance products decreased $76.2 million, with the $56.4 million decrease in sales of interest-sensitive life insurance products in the wholesale channel and the $34.0 million decrease in variable life insurance sales in the retail channel being partially offset by a $7.7 million increase in first year interest-sensitive life insurance sales in the retail channel.

The market for annuity and life insurance products of the types issued by the Insurance Group continues to be very dynamic as a result of the recent upheaval in the capital markets.  Among other things:

·     
features and pricing of various products, including but not limited to variable annuity products, continue to change rapidly, in response to changing customer preferences, company risk appetites, capital utilization and other factors,
·     
various insurance companies, including one or more in the Insurance Group, have eliminated and/or limited sales of certain annuity and life insurance products or features, and
·     
overall industry sales of  variable annuity and life insurance products have declined, in some cases substantially, due in part to changing customer preferences, a phenomenon also observed following previous periods of significant market decline and/or volatility.

 
54

 
Recent changes to certain features including, e.g., guarantee features, pricing and/or Separate Account investment options, have made some of the annuity and life insurance products offered by the Insurance Group less competitive in the marketplace.  This, in turn, has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect overall sales of the Insurance Group’s annuity and life insurance products.  The Insurance Group continues to assess its product offerings in light of changing market conditions and other factors, with a view toward appropriately balancing risk management, cost, marketability and other considerations.  As conditions in the marketplace and capital markets continue to evolve, the Insurance Group may offer new and/or different products, and it may also further revise, suspend or discontinue one or more of its product offerings.

Surrenders and Withdrawals.  Surrenders and withdrawals decreased $1.14 billion, from $4.65 billion in the first half of 2008 to $3.51 billion for the first half of 2009.  There were $1.15 billion and $19.2 million decreases in individual annuities and variable and interest-sensitive life insurance surrenders and withdrawals, respectively, with an increase of $28.4 million reported for the traditional life insurance line.  The annualized annuities surrender rate decreased to 7.2% in the first half of 2009 from 7.9% in the first half of 2008.  The individual life insurance products’ annualized surrender rate increased to 5.0% in the first half of 2009 from 4.1% in the 2008 period.  The surrender and withdrawal rates described above continue to fall within the range of expected experience and the Insurance Group continues to closely monitor surrender and withdrawal rates.

Assets Under Management.  Breakdowns of assets under management follow:

Assets Under Management
(In Millions)
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
                 
Third party                                                                                                
  $ 394,830     $ 657,322  
General Account and other                                                                                                
    58,025       53,198  
Insurance Group Separate Accounts                                                                                                
    74,446       92,338  
Total Assets Under Management                                                                                                
  $ 527,301     $ 802,858  

Third party assets under management at June 30, 2009 decreased $262.49 billion from June 30, 2008 primarily due to market depreciation and net outflows.  General Account and other assets under management increased $4.83 billion from the first half of 2008.  The $17.89 billion decrease in Insurance Group Separate Account assets under management at the end of the first half of 2009 as compared to June 30, 2008 resulted from decreases in EQAT’s and other Separate Accounts’ AUM due to market depreciation.

AllianceBernstein assets under management at June 30, 2009 totaled $447.0 billion as compared to $716.6 billion at June 30, 2008 with market depreciation of $187.4 billion and net outflows of $82.2 billion.  The gross outflows of $64.9 billion, $42.8 billion and $17.2 billion in institutional investment, retail and private client channels, respectively, were partially offset by inflows of $17.3 billion, $17.8 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively.  Non-US  clients accounted for 55.5% of the June 30, 2009 total.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

AXA Financial.  On June 16, 2009, AXA Financial issued a $440.0 million short-term note to AXA.  The proceeds from this note, whose original July 31, 2009 maturity date was amended to extend to October 16, 2009 and which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 15 basis points, was contributed to a newly formed non-insurance subsidiary to support the purchase of investment real estate from AXA Equitable.  In connection with this purchase (the “AXA Equitable Property”), this subsidiary issued $660.0 million of 8% mortgage notes with a ten year term, $400.0 million to AXA Equitable, which is eliminated in consolidation, and $260.0 million to AXA UK PLC, an AXA affiliate, which is reported in Loans from affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet.

On June 3, 2009, AXA Financial and its parent, AXA, initiated a commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which AXA Financial or AXA may issue short-term unsecured notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.50 billion outstanding at any time.  On June 15, 2009, AXA Financial issued $0.3 million which was repaid on June 16, 2009.

 
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On March 31, 2008, AXA Financial issued a $250.0 million short-term note to AXA.  The note, which matured on June 16, 2008, bore interest at the rate of three-month LIBOR plus 10 basis points.  The note was rolled over to December 16, 2008, at an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 25 basis points and rolled over on December 16, 2008 to December 16, 2009 maturity date. The funds were used to pay the $250.0 million of third-party debt that matured on April 1, 2008.
 
AXA Financial continues to expect to fund most of its liquidity needs through borrowings from AXA or its affiliates and/or from third parties.
           
The Insurance Group.  On June 17, 2009, AXA Equitable’s continuing operations and its discontinued Wind-up Annuities business sold the AXA Equitable Property valued at $1.10 billion to a non-insurance subsidiary of AXA Financial in exchange for $700.0 million in cash and $400.0 million in 8% ten year term mortgage notes on the property.  The $440.0 million excess of the AXA Equitable Property’s fair value over its carrying value was accounted for as a capital contribution to AXA Equitable that is eliminated in consolidation.  For segment reporting purposes, the financial position and operating results of the AXA Financial subsidiary are included in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment.

On February 13, 2009, AXA Bermuda entered into an agreement with AXA that makes available a $500.0 million revolving credit facility.  On May 6, 2009, the revolving credit facility was amended to make a total of $1.00 billion available under the facility.  During second quarter 2009, $900.0 million was utilized under the facility; the entire amount plus interest of $3.3 million was repaid during the quarter.  No amounts were outstanding under this facility on June 30, 2009.

At June 30, 2009, AXA Equitable had no short-term debt or commercial paper outstanding.  During the first half of 2008, AXA Equitable’s $350.0 million short-term promissory note, of which $101.7 million was reported in the discontinued Wind-up Annuities business, bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 50 basis points and was repaid on September 23, 2008.

Members of the Insurance Group monitor their capital requirements on an ongoing basis taking into account the prevailing conditions in the capital markets.  Lower interest rates and/or poor equity market performance, both of which have been experienced recently, increase the capital needed to support the variable annuity guarantee business.  While future capital requirements will depend on future market conditions, management believes that the Insurance Group will continue to have the ability to meet the capital requirements necessary to support its business.

AllianceBernstein.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, cash flows included inflows of $12.6 million representing the additional investment by AllianceBernstein Holding with proceeds from the exercise of options to acquire AllianceBernstein Holdings units; no such investments were made in the related 2009 period.  Outflows related to purchases of AllianceBernstein Holdings units totaled $0.7 million and $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which were used to fund deferred compensation plans.  Cash flows in the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively, included $22.0 million and $120.0 million of net proceeds from bank loans.  There was a net reduction in cash flows of $120.1 million and $167.0 million in the respective 2009 and 2008 periods related to net repayments of commercial paper.  Capital expenditures at AllianceBernstein were $36.1 million in the first six months of 2009 compared to $45.4 million in the comparable 2008 period.  Purchases of investments in the first half of 2009 totaled $7.6 million while sales of investments totaled $3.8 million in the first half of 2008.  Available cash flow for cash distributions from AllianceBernstein totaled $166.4 million and $527.1 million for the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, while distributions paid were $136.7 million and $555.7 million for the same respective periods.

At June 30, 2009, AllianceBernstein had $165.5 million outstanding under its commercial paper program and $22.0 million outstanding under a bank loan.



 
56

 

Item 3.                  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.


Item 4(T).             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of AXA Financial Group's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a -15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of June 30, 2009.  Based on that evaluation, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that AXA Financial Group's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in AXA Financial Group’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AXA Financial Group’s internal control over financial reporting.



 
57

 

       
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.  Except as disclosed in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, there have been no new material legal proceedings and no new material developments in legal proceedings previously reported in the 2008 Form 10-K.


Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in the 2008 Form 10-K except as noted below:
 
In 2007 and again in 2009, Congress proposed tax legislation that would cause certain publicly-traded partnerships (“PTPs”) to be taxed as corporations, thus subjecting their income to a higher level of income tax.  AllianceBernstein Holding is a PTP that derives its income from asset manager or investment management services through its ownership interest in AllianceBernstein.  However, the legislation, in the form proposed, would not affect AllianceBernstein Holding’s tax status.  In addition, AllianceBernstein continues to receive consistent indications from a number of individuals involved in the legislative process that AllianceBernstein Holding’s tax status is not the focus of the proposed legislation, and that no change to that approach is expected.  However, AllianceBernstein’s management cannot predict whether, or in what form, the proposed tax legislation will pass, and is unable to determine what effect any new legislation might have on AllianceBernstein.  If AllianceBernstein Holding were to lose its Federal tax status as a grandfathered PTP, it would be subject to corporate income tax, which would reduce materially its net income and quarterly distributions to AllianceBernstein Holding unitholders.
 
In its current form, the proposed legislation would not affect AllianceBernstein because it is a private partnership.


Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.


Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.


Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.


Item 5.
Other Information
 
None

 
58

 

Item 6.
Exhibits

 
Number
 
Description and Method of Filing
       
 
10.1
 
Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement among AXA Financial, Inc., AXA and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, dated as of June 3, 2009.
       
 
10.2
 
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement among AXA Financial, Inc., AXA and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., dated as of June 3, 2009.
       
 
10.3
 
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement among AXA Financial, Inc., AXA and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dated as of June 3, 2009.
       
 
10.4
 
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement among AXA Financial, Inc, AXA and Banc of America Securities LLC, dated as of June 3, 2009.
       
 
31.1
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
31.2
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
32.1
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
32.2
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


 
59

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, AXA Financial, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
     AXA FINANCIAL, INC  
       
       
Date:
August 11, 2009
By:
/s/ Richard S. Dziadzio
       
Name:
Richard S. Dziadzio
 
       
Title:
Executive Vice President and
 
         
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
         
Date:
August 11, 2009
   
/s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
       
Name:
Alvin H. Fenichel
       
Title:
Senior Vice President and
         
Chief Accounting Officer
           


 
 
 

 60
EX-10.1 2 e10941_ex10-1.txt EXECUTION COPY ISSUING AND PAYING AGENCY AGREEMENT This Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2009 is by and among AXA Financial, Inc. ("AXA FINANCIAL"), as Issuer, AXA SA ("AXA"), as Issuer and, with respect to the Notes issued by AXA Financial, as Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association ("JPMORGAN"). 1. APPOINTMENT AND ACCEPTANCE Each of the Issuers hereby appoints JPMorgan as its issuing and paying agent in connection with the issuance and payment of certain short-term promissory notes of such Issuer (the "NOTES"), as further described herein, and JPMorgan agrees to act as such agent upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. 2. COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAMS Each of the Issuers may establish one or more commercial paper programs under this Agreement (provided, however, that AXA Financial may only establish such programs with the prior approval of AXA) by delivering to JPMorgan a completed program schedule (the "PROGRAM SCHEDULE"), with respect to each such program. JPMorgan has given the Issuers a copy of the current form of Program Schedule and each of the Issuers shall complete and return its first Program Schedule to JPMorgan prior to or simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement. In the event that any of the information provided in, or attached to, a Program Schedule shall change, the relevant Issuer shall promptly inform JPMorgan of such change in writing. 3. NOTES All Notes issued by an Issuer under this Agreement shall be short-term promissory notes, exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as indicated on the Program Schedules, and from applicable state securities laws. The Notes may be placed by dealers (the "DEALERS") pursuant to Section 4 hereof. Notes shall be issued in either certificated or book-entry form. AXA, in its capacity as Guarantor, has agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to guarantee payment in full of the principal of and interest (if any) on all Notes issued by AXA Financial (the "GUARANTEED NOTES"), pursuant to a guarantee in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "GUARANTEE"). AXA Financial may only issue Notes with the prior approval of AXA. 4. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES Each of the Issuers, and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall deliver to JPMorgan a duly adopted corporate resolution from its Board of Directors (or other governing body) authorizing the issuance of Notes by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee by the Guarantor, under each program established pursuant to this Agreement and a certificate of incumbency, with specimen signatures attached, of those of its officers, employees and agents authorized to take certain actions with respect to the Notes and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee, as provided in this Agreement (each such person is hereinafter referred to as an "AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE"), provided, however, that any certificate of incumbency delivered by AXA Financial shall be countersigned by AXA. Until JPMorgan receives any subsequent incumbency certificates of the relevant Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, JPMorgan shall be entitled to rely on the last incumbency certificate delivered to it for the purpose of determining the Authorized Representatives. Each of the Issuers, and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, represents and warrants that each respective Authorized Representative may appoint other officers, employees and agents (the "DELEGATES"), including without limitation any Dealers, to issue instructions to JPMorgan under this Agreement, and take other actions on its behalf hereunder, provided that notice of the appointment of each Delegate is delivered to JPMorgan in writing. Each such appointment shall remain in effect unless and until revoked by the Issuer or the Guarantor in a written notice to JPMorgan. 5. CERTIFICATED NOTES If and when an Issuer intends to issue certificated notes ("CERTIFICATED NOTES"), such Issuer and JPMorgan shall agree upon the form of such Notes. Thereafter, each Issuer shall from time to time deliver to JPMorgan adequate supplies of Certificated Notes which will be in bearer form, serially numbered, and shall be executed by the manual or facsimile signature of an Authorized Representative of such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor. JPMorgan will acknowledge receipt of any supply of Certificated Notes received from an Issuer, noting any exceptions to the shipping manifest or transmittal letter (if any), and will hold the Certificated Notes in safekeeping for such Issuer in accordance with JPMorgan's customary practices. JPMorgan shall not have any liability to an Issuer, or in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, to determine by whom or by what means a facsimile signature may have been affixed on Certificated Notes, or to determine whether any facsimile or manual signature is genuine, if such facsimile or manual signature resembles the specimen signature attached to the certificate of incumbency with respect to such Authorized Representative. Any Certificated Note bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a person who is an Authorized Representative of an Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, on the date such signature was affixed shall bind such Issuer and, as the case may be, the Guarantor, after completion thereof by JPMorgan, notwithstanding that such person shall have ceased to hold his or her office on the date such Note is countersigned or delivered by JPMorgan. 6. BOOK-ENTRY NOTES An Issuer's book-entry notes ("BOOK-ENTRY NOTES") shall not be issued in physical form, but their aggregate face amount shall be represented by a master note (a "MASTER NOTE") substantially in the form of Exhibit A executed by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor pursuant to the book-entry commercial paper program of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). JPMorgan shall maintain the Master Note of each of the Issuers in safekeeping, in accordance with its customary practices, on behalf of Cede & Co., the registered owner thereof and nominee of DTC. As long as Cede & Co. is the registered owner of a Master Note, the beneficial ownership interest therein shall be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof shall be effected through, entries on the books maintained by DTC and the books of its direct and indirect participants. The Master Notes and the Book-Entry Notes shall be subject to DTC's rules and procedures, as amended from time to time. JPMorgan shall not be liable or responsible for sending transaction statements of any kind to DTC's participants or the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Notes, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing the records of DTC or its participants with respect to such Notes. In connection with DTC's program, each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, understands that as one of the conditions of its participation therein, it shall be necessary for each of the Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and JPMorgan to enter into a Letter of Representations, in the form of Exhibit C hereto, and for DTC to receive and accept such Letter of Representations. In accordance with DTC's program, JPMorgan shall obtain from the CUSIP Service Bureau a written list of CUSIP numbers for each of the Issuers' Book-Entry Notes, 2 and JPMorgan shall deliver such list to DTC. The CUSIP Service Bureau shall bill each of the Issuers directly for the fee or fees payable for the list of CUSIP numbers for such Issuer's Book-Entry Notes. 7. ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS TO JPMORGAN; PURCHASE PAYMENTS Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor understands that all instructions under this Agreement are to be directed to JPMorgan's Commercial Paper Operations Department. JPMorgan shall provide each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, or, if applicable, the relevant Issuer's Dealers, with access to JPMorgan's Money Market Issuance System or other electronic means (collectively, the "SYSTEM") in order that JPMorgan may receive electronic instructions for the issuance of Notes, provided that an issuance of Guaranteed Notes shall require instructions from the the Guarantor. Electronic instructions must be transmitted in accordance with the procedures furnished by JPMorgan to the Issuers and the Guarantor or the Dealers in connection with the System. These transmissions shall be the equivalent to the giving of a duly authorized written and signed instruction which JPMorgan may act upon without liability. In the event that the System is inoperable at any time, an Authorized Representative or a Delegate of the Issuer may deliver written, telephone or facsimile instructions to JPMorgan (provided that an issuance of Guaranteed Notes shall require instructions from the the Guarantor), which instructions shall be verified in accordance with any security procedures agreed upon by the parties. JPMorgan shall incur no liability to an Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, in acting upon instructions believed by JPMorgan in good faith to have been given by an Authorized Representative or a Delegate of such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor. In the event that a discrepancy exists between a telephonic instruction and a written confirmation, the telephonic instruction will be deemed the controlling and proper instruction. JPMorgan may electronically record any conversations made pursuant to this Agreement, and each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby consents to such recordings. All issuance instructions regarding the Notes must be received by 1:00 P.M. New York time in order for the Notes to be issued or delivered on the same day. (a) ISSUANCE AND PURCHASE OF BOOK-ENTRY NOTES. Upon receipt of issuance instructions with respect to Book-Entry Notes, JPMorgan shall transmit such instructions to DTC and direct DTC to cause appropriate entries of the Book-Entry Notes to be made in accordance with DTC's applicable rules, regulations and procedures for book-entry commercial paper programs. JPMorgan shall assign CUSIP numbers to such Issuer's Book-Entry Notes to identify such Issuer's aggregate principal amount of outstanding Book-Entry Notes in DTC's system, together with the aggregate unpaid interest (if any) on such Notes. Promptly following DTC's established settlement time on each issuance date, JPMorgan shall access DTC's system to verify whether settlement has occurred with respect to such Issuer's Book-Entry Notes. Prior to the close of business on such business day, JPMorgan shall deposit immediately available funds in the amount of the proceeds due such Issuer (if any) to such Issuer's account at JPMorgan and designated in the applicable Program Schedule (the "ACCOUNT"), provided, that JPMorgan has received DTC's confirmation that the Book-Entry Notes have settled in accordance with DTC's applicable rules, regulations and procedures. JPMorgan shall have no liability to an Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, whatsoever if any DTC participant purchasing a Book-Entry Note fails to settle or delays in settling its balance with DTC or if DTC fails to perform in any respect. 3 (b) ISSUANCE AND PURCHASE OF CERTIFICATED NOTES. Upon receipt of issuance instructions with respect to Certificated Notes, JPMorgan shall: (a) complete each Certificated Note as to principal amount, date of issue, maturity date, place of payment, and rate or amount of interest (if such Note is interest bearing) in accordance with such instructions; (b) countersign each Certificated Note; and (c) deliver each Certificated Note in accordance with the relevant Issuer's instructions, except as otherwise set forth below. Whenever JPMorgan is instructed to deliver any Certificated Note by mail, JPMorgan shall strike from the Certificated Note the word "Bearer," insert as payee the name of the person so designated by the relevant Issuer and effect delivery by mail to such payee or to such other person as is specified in such instructions to receive the Certificated Note. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, understands that, in accordance with the custom prevailing in the commercial paper market, delivery of Certificated Notes shall be made before the actual receipt of payment for such Notes in immediately available funds, even if the relevant Issuer instructs JPMorgan to deliver a Certificated Note against payment. Therefore, once JPMorgan has delivered a Certificated Note to the designated recipient, the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall bear the risk that such recipient may fail to remit payment of such Note or return such Note to JPMorgan. Delivery of Certificated Notes shall be subject to the rules of the New York Clearing House in effect at the time of such delivery. Funds received in payment of Certificated Notes shall be credited to the Account. 8. USE OF SALES PROCEEDS IN ADVANCE OF PAYMENT JPMorgan shall not be obligated to credit the relevant Issuer's Account in respect of a Note issued by such Issuer unless and until payment of the purchase price of such Note is received by JPMorgan. From time to time, JPMorgan, in its sole discretion, may permit an Issuer to have use of funds payable with respect to a Note prior to JPMorgan's receipt of the sales proceeds of such Note. If JPMorgan makes a deposit, payment or transfer of funds on behalf of such Issuer before JPMorgan receives payment for any Note issued by such Issuer, such deposit, payment or transfer of funds shall represent an advance by JPMorgan to such Issuer to be repaid promptly, and in any event on the same day as it is made, from the proceeds of the sale of such Note, or by such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, if such proceeds are not received by JPMorgan. 9. PAYMENT OF MATURED NOTES Notice that an Issuer will not redeem any Note on the relative Initial Redemption Date (as defined in the applicable Extendible Commercial Note Announcement) must be received in writing by JPMorgan by 11:00 A.M. on such Initial Redemption Date. On any other day when a Note matures or is prepaid, the relevant Issuer shall transmit, or cause to be transmitted, to the Account, prior to 1:00 P.M. New York time on the same day, an amount of immediately available funds sufficient to pay the aggregate principal amount of such Note and any applicable interest due. JPMorgan shall pay the interest (if any) and principal on a Book-Entry Note to DTC in immediately available funds, which payment shall be by net settlement of JPMorgan's account at DTC. JPMorgan shall pay Certificated Notes upon presentment. JPMorgan shall have no obligation under the Agreement to make any payment for which there is not sufficient, available and collected funds in the Account, and JPMorgan may, without liability to the relevant Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, refuse to pay any Note that would result in an overdraft to the Account. 4 10. OVERDRAFTS (a) Intraday overdrafts with respect to each Account shall be subject to JPMorgan's policies as in effect from time to time. (b) An overdraft will exist in an Account if JPMorgan, in its sole discretion, (i) permits an advance to be made pursuant to Section 8 and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8, such advance is not repaid in full on the same day as it is made, or (ii) pays a Note pursuant to Section 9 in excess of the available collected balance in such Account. Overdrafts shall be subject to JPMorgan's established banking practices, including, without limitation, the imposition of interest, funds usage charges and administrative fees. The relevant Issuer shall repay any such overdraft, fees and charges no later than the next business day, together with interest on the overdraft at the rate established by JPMorgan for the Account, computed from and including the date of the overdraft to the date of repayment. 11. NO PRIOR COURSE OF DEALING No prior action or course of dealing on the part of JPMorgan with respect to advances of the purchase price or payments of matured Notes shall give rise to any claim or cause of action by an Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, against JPMorgan in the event that JPMorgan refuses to pay or settle any Notes for which such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, has not timely provided funds as required by this Agreement. 12. RETURN OF CERTIFICATED NOTES JPMorgan will in due course cancel any Certificated Note presented for payment and return such Note to the relevant Issuer. JPMorgan shall also cancel and return to the relevant Issuer any spoiled or voided Certificated Notes. Promptly upon written request of an Issuer or at the termination of this Agreement, JPMorgan shall destroy all blank, unissued Certificated Notes of such Issuer in its possession and furnish a certificate to such Issuer certifying such actions. 13. INFORMATION FURNISHED BY JPMORGAN Upon the reasonable request of an Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, JPMorgan shall promptly provide such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor with information with respect to any Note issued and paid hereunder, provided, that the Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor delivers such request in writing and, to the extent applicable, includes the serial number or note number, principal amount, payee, date of issue, maturity date, amount of interest (if any) and place of payment of such Note. 14. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES (a) Each of the Issuers represents and warrants that: (i) it has the right, capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement; and (ii) it will comply with all of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Each of the Issuers further represents and agrees that each Note issued and distributed upon its instruction pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute the Issuer's representation and warranty to JPMorgan 5 that such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, and that such Note is being issued in a transaction which is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities law. (b) The Guarantor represents and warrants that: (i) it has the right, capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement and to execute and deliver its guarantee of the Guaranteed Notes and (ii) it will comply with all of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Guarantor further represents and agrees that its guarantee of each Guaranteed Note issued and distributed pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor, and that such guarantee is being issued in a transaction which is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities law. 15. DISCLAIMERS Neither JPMorgan nor its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any act or omission under this Agreement except in the case of default, negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. IN NO EVENT SHALL JPMORGAN BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF JPMORGAN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION. In no event shall JPMorgan be considered negligent in consequence of complying with DTC's rules, regulations and procedures. The duties and obligations of JPMorgan, its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be determined by the express provisions of this Agreement and they shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth herein and no implied covenants shall be read into this Agreement against them. Neither JPMorgan nor its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be required to ascertain whether any issuance or sale of any Notes (or any amendment or termination of this Agreement) has been duly authorized or is in compliance with any other agreement to which the relevant Issuer, or in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, is a party (whether or not JPMorgan is also a party to such agreement). 16. INDEMNIFICATION Each of the Issuers agrees and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor jointly and severally agree, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless JPMorgan, its directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, "JPMorgan indemnitees") from and against any and all liabilities, claims, losses, damages, penalties, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) suffered or incurred by or asserted or assessed against any JPMorgan indemnitee arising in respect of this Agreement, except in respect of any JPMorgan indemnitee for any such liability, claim, loss, damage, penalty, cost or expense resulting from the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such JPMorgan indemnitee. This indemnity will survive the termination of this Agreement. 17. OPINION OF COUNSEL Each of the Issuers and, the Guarantor, shall deliver to JPMorgan all documents it may reasonably request relating to their respective existence and authority for this Agreement, including, without limitation, an opinion of counsel, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto. 18. NOTICES 6 All notices, confirmations and other communications hereunder shall (except to the extent otherwise expressly provided) be in writing and shall be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, by telecopier or by hand, addressed as follows, or to such other address as the party receiving such notice shall have previously specified to the party sending such notice: If to AXA: AXA 21 avenue Matignon 75008 Paris, France Attention: DCFG/Capital Market Solutions Telephone: +33 (0) 1 40 75 57 97 Facsimile: +33 (0) 1 40 75 58 28 If to AXA Financial: AXA Financial, Inc. 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor New York, NY 10104 Attention: Treasury Department Telephone: (212) 314-4135 Facsimile: (212) 314-1504 If to JPMorgan concerning the daily issuance and redemption of Notes: Attention: Money Market Operations 420 West Van Buren, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60606 Telephone: (800) 499-3176/ (312) 954-0445 Facsimile: (312) 954-0432 All other: Attention: Steven Charles, Commercial Paper Client Service 420 West Van Buren, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60606 Telephone: (312) 954-0269 Facsimile: (312) 954-0438 19. COMPENSATION Each of the Issuers shall pay compensation for services pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the pricing schedules furnished by JPMorgan to such Issuer from time to time and upon such payment terms as the parties shall determine. Each of the Issuers shall also reimburse JPMorgan for any fees and charges imposed by DTC with respect to services provided to such Issuer in connection with the Book-Entry Notes. 20. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue hereof. 21. TERMINATION 7 This Agreement may be terminated at any time by any party by not less than (30) day's written notice to the other parties, but such termination shall not affect the respective liabilities of the parties hereunder arising prior to such termination. 22. FORCE MAJEURE In no event shall JPMorgan be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond JPMorgan's control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot, strikes or work stoppages for any reason, embargo, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations or the like which restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Agreement, inability to obtain material, equipment, or communications or computer facilities, or the failure of equipment or interruption of communications or computer facilities, and other causes beyond JPMorgan's control whether or not of the same class or kind as specifically named above. 23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement, together with the exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement among JPMorgan, AXA and AXA Financial with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects all prior proposals, negotiations, communications, discussions and agreements between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement. 24. WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. Any such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it is given. No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by each of the Issuers and, the Guarantor, and JPMorgan. 25. BUSINESS DAY Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a business day for JPMorgan, then such payment shall be made on JPMorgan's next succeeding business day. 26. COUNTERPARTS This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and such counterparts together shall constitute but one instrument. 27. HEADINGS The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not in any way limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms of this Agreement. 28. GOVERNING LAW 8 This Agreement and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. 29. JURISDICTION AND VENUE Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and any New York State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City and of any appellate court from any thereof for the purposes of any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement (a "PROCEEDING"). Each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in such Federal or New York State court and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Proceeding in any of the aforementioned courts and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any Proceeding. 30. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. 31. ACCOUNT CONDITIONS Each Account shall be subject to JPMorgan's account conditions, as in effect from time to time. 32. GUARANTY PROVISIONS In consideration of the services provided by JPMorgan under this Agreement, the Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees (as primary obligor and not merely as surety) the due and punctual payment, when and as the same shall become due and payable, of each and every obligation of AXA Financial hereunder (each of the foregoing being an "OBLIGATION" and, collectively, the "OBLIGATIONS") at the time and place and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of (i) the validity, binding effect, legality, enforceability or modification to, or amendment or waiver of, or compliance with, the Notes or this Agreement, (ii) whether the Notes or this Agreement shall have been duly executed by the respective parties thereto, (iii) any change in the existence or structure of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, AXA Financial, (iv) the absence of any action to enforce any Obligation or the Notes or this Agreement or any collateral security or other guaranty thereof, (v) any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any Obligation, the Notes or this Agreement, (vi) the existence of any claim, set-off, counterclaim or other right that the Guarantor may have against AXA Financial, the noteholders or JPMorgan, or (vii) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor hereby agrees that upon default in the payment when due of any Obligation it will forthwith cause the payment of each and every Obligation to be made punctually to JPMorgan, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and as if such payment were made by AXA Financial. The Guarantor hereby expressly waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind whatsoever, as well as any requirement that the noteholders, or JPMorgan on behalf of the noteholders, file claims in the event of receivership or bankruptcy of AXA 9 Financial, or exhaust any right to take any action against AXA Financial or with respect to any collateral at any time securing the Obligations or any other guaranty thereof; and the Guarantor hereby consents to any and all extensions of time of payment of any or all of the Obligations and to the release of any such collateral or other guaranty. This guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection merely and shall be a continuing guaranty and, as such, shall remain operative and in full force and effect until all Obligations shall have been paid and actually received in full by the party to whom any such Obligation is due. If at any time any payment of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of AXA Financial (or the appointment of a trustee, receiver, intervenor or conservator or similar official for AXA Financial or any substantial part of its assets, the Guarantor's obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated at such time as though such payment had not been made. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably agrees that it will not be entitled to enforce any right or remedy arising out of any right of subrogation that it may have or be entitled to, by operation of law or otherwise, as a result of payments by such Guarantor hereunder, until all Obligations have been paid and actually received in full by the party to whom any such Obligation is due. 33. AGENT FOR SERVICE OR PROCESS AXA, for the benefit of JPMorgan and the holders from time to time of the Notes, hereby irrevocably appoints AXA Financial Inc., with offices on the date hereof located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, and AXA Financial hereby accepts such appointment, as its agent (the "AUTHORIZED AGENT") upon which process may be served in any Proceeding and hereby agrees that service of process upon the Authorized Agent, by mail or delivery, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such Proceeding. AXA agrees to take any and all action, including, but not limited to, the execution and filing of all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to effect and continue the appointment by it of the Authorized Agent in full force and effect so long as any of the Notes shall be outstanding. Nothing herein contained shall, however, in any manner limit the rights of JPMorgan or the holders of the Notes to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. 34. WAIVER OF IMMUNITY AXA irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereign immunity or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction or order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceeding. 35. WITHHOLDING TAXES AXA represents and warrants that there is no withholding or other deduction for or on account of tax imposed by France or any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority therein from any interest paid in respect of the Notes, this Agreement, or any payments thereon, hereunder or under the Guarantee. AXA agrees that in the event that any such tax, assessment or charge shall hereafter become applicable, it shall promptly notify JPMorgan in writing and further agrees that all amounts payable by it in respect of any Note, this Agreement or the Guarantee shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim and free and clear 10 of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge on interest (collectively, "TAX") imposed, levied, collected, assessed or required to be deducted, withheld or paid by or for the account of France or any taxing authority or political subdivision thereof or therein. If any such Tax is required by law to be withheld or deducted from any such payment, AXA shall pay the full amount of such Tax and pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by the person entitled to such payment is equal to the amount such person would have received had no such Tax been withheld from such payment, provided that AXA shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any Tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of such Note. 36. JUDGMENT CURRENCY The obligation of AXA to make payment in lawful currency of the United States of America ("DOLLARS") of any and all amounts due hereunder, under the Notes or under the Guarantee shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or any recovery pursuant to any judgment in any currency other than Dollars, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt by JPMorgan in New York or the holders of the Notes of the full amount of Dollars payable hereunder, under the Notes or under the Guarantee, and shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in Dollars the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of Dollars so paid. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on their behalf by duly authorized officers as of the day and year first-above written. 11 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AXA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By: /s/ Steven E. Charles By: /s/ Denis Duverne ------------------------ -------------------- Name: Steven E. Charles Name: Denis Duverne Title: Assistant Vice President Title: Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Management Board AXA FINANCIAL, INC. By: /s/ Kevin R. Byrne ------------------- Name: Kevin R. Byrne Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer EXHIBIT A (DTC MASTER NOTE) EXHIBIT B FORM OF GUARANTEE GUARANTEE GUARANTEE, dated as of __________, ____, of AXA SA, a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil de surveillance organized under the laws of France (the "Guarantor"). The Guarantor, for value received, hereby agrees as follows for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes hereinafter described: 1. The Guarantor irrevocably guarantees payment in full, as and when the same becomes due and payable, of the principal of and interest, if any, on the promissory notes (the "Notes") issued by AXA Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Guarantor (the "Issuer"), from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of __________, ____, as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, between the Issuer , the Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the "Agreement"). 2. The Guarantor's obligations under this Guarantee shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of any provision of the Agreement or the Notes. 3. This Guarantee is a guaranty of the due and punctual payment (and not merely of collection) of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes by the Issuer and shall remain in full force and effect until all amounts have been validly, finally and irrevocably paid in full, and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance or condition whatsoever, including without limitation (a) the absence of any action to obtain such amounts from the Issuer, (b) any variation, extension, waiver, compromise or release of any or all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Agreement or the Notes or of any collateral security therefore or (c) any change in the existence or structure of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Issuer or by any other circumstance (other than by complete, irrevocable payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or surety. The Guarantor waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of any kind with respect to the Agreement and the Notes. 4. In the event of a default in payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, the holders of such Notes, may institute legal proceedings directly against the Guarantor to enforce this Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer. 5. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect or shall be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time any payment by the Issuer of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, in whole or in part, is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. 6. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 7. (a) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan and the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. (b) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, Inc, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Guarantee. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Guarantor agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7. The Guarantor further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Guarantee. The Guarantor agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 8. Any payments under this Guarantee shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments under this Guarantee be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, the Guarantor will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the persons entitled to such payment of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that the Guarantor shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. 9. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or thereunder and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Guarantor and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. AXA SA By: EXHIBIT C (DTC LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS) EXHIBIT D-1 (FORM OF CRAVATH OPINION AS ISSUER'S COUNSEL) [TO BE CONFORMED TO OPINION DELIVERED UNDER DMA] EXHIBIT D-2 (FORM OF GENERAL COUNSEL OPINION) [TO BE CONFORMED TO OPINION DELIVERED UNDER DMA] EX-10.2 3 e10941_ex10-2.txt EXECUTION COPY COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) Program - Foreign Issuer and Guaranteed Among: AXA FINANCIAL, INC. ("AXA Financial"), as Issuer, AXA SA ("AXA"), as Issuer and, with respect to Notes issued by AXA Financial, as Guarantor (in such capacity, the "Guarantor"), and J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. as Dealer. Concerning Notes to be issued pursuant to an Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of June 3, 2009 among the Issuers, the Guarantor and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Issuing and Paying Agent Dated as of June 3, 2009 COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) PROGRAM This agreement (the "Agreement") sets forth the understandings among each of the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Dealer, each named on the cover page hereof, in connection with the issuance and sale by each of the Issuers of its short-term promissory notes (the "Notes") through the Dealer. AXA, in its capacity as Guarantor, has agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to guarantee payment in full of the principal of and interest (if any) on all Notes issued by AXA Financial (the "Guaranteed Notes"), pursuant to a guarantee, dated the date hereof, in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the "Guarantee"). Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6 hereof. The Addendum to this Agreement, and any Annexes or Exhibits described in this Agreement or such Addendum, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and made fully a part hereof. 1. OFFERS, SALES AND RESALES OF NOTES. 1.1. While (i) neither of the Issuers has or shall have any obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the relevant Issuer, and (ii) the Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes 1 from any Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of any Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from an Issuer, or arranges for the sale of Notes by an Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of such Issuer, and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein. 1.2. So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section 1.7 hereof, none of the Issuers, nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall, without the consent of the Dealer, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes except (a) in transactions with one or more dealers which may from time to time after the date hereof become dealers with respect to the Notes by executing with the Issuers and the Guarantor, one or more agreements which contain provisions substantially identical to those contained in Section 1 of this Agreement, of which each of the Issuers hereby undertakes to provide the Dealer prompt notice or (b) in transactions with the other dealers listed on the Addendum hereto, which are executing agreements with each of the Issuers and the Guarantor which contain provisions substantially identical to Section 1 of this Agreement contemporaneously herewith. In no event shall either of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes directly on its own behalf in transactions with persons other than broker-dealers as specifically permitted in this Section 1.2. 1.3. The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at such discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall have a maturity not exceeding 397 days from the date of issuance and may have such terms as are specified in Exhibit C hereto or the Private Placement Memorandum. The Notes shall not contain any provision for extension, renewal or automatic "rollover." 1.4. The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall be either individual physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by one or more master notes (each, a "Master Note") registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee, in the form or forms annexed to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 1.5. If the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to, agreement with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate or interest rate index and margin (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis), and appropriate compensation for the Dealer's services hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for such Note shall be made by the purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and 2 Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer. Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a purchaser shall either fail to accept delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid such Issuer for the Note, such Issuer will promptly return such funds to the Dealer against its return of the Note to such Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note. 1.6. The Dealer and each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes: (a) Offers and sales of the Notes by or through the Dealer shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers, Institutional Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional Accredited Investor. (b) Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below. (c) No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the prior written approval of the Dealer, none of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor shall issue any press release or place or publish any "tombstone" or other advertisement relating to the Notes. (d) No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount. If the purchaser is a non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes. (e) Offers and sales of the Notes by an Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for such Issuer shall be made in accordance with Rule 506 under the Securities Act, and shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto. A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement. (f) The Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect. The Private Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information from AXA regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, 3 the Guarantor and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor may be obtained. (g) Each of the Issuers agrees and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer or the Guarantor, shall not be subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will furnish, upon request and at its or their expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule 144A(d). (h) In the event that any Note of an Issuer offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, such Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) upon becoming aware of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant information relating thereto. (i) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, represents that it is not currently issuing commercial paper or guarantees in the United States market in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, agrees that, if it shall issue commercial paper or guarantees after the date hereof in reliance upon such exemption (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a separate account; (b) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes or guarantees issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of Notes or the Guarantee hereunder; and (c) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States. 1.7. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows: (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)) within the preceding six months neither it nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof acting on its behalf has offered or sold any Notes, or any substantially similar security of such Issuer or the Guarantor (including, without limitation, medium-term notes issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor), to, or solicited offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof. 4 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor also agrees that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)), as long as the Notes are being offered for sale by the Dealer and the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof as contemplated hereby and until at least six months after the offer of Notes hereunder has been terminated, neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof (except as contemplated by Section 1.2 hereof) will offer the Notes or any substantially similar security of such Issuer for sale to, or solicit offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof, it being understood that such agreement is made with a view to bringing the offer and sale of the Notes within the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 thereunder and shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants that it has not taken or omitted to take, and will not take or omit to take, any action that would cause the offering and sale of Notes hereunder to be integrated with any other offering of securities, whether such offering is made by an Issuer or the Guarantor or some other party or parties under circumstances or in a manner that would cause the offering and sale of the Notes by an Issuer to fail to be exempt under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. (b) In the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or to Qualified Institutional Buyers it reasonably believes are acting for other Qualified Institutional Buyers, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or (ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder. 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, with respect to sections 2.1 through 2.12, represents and warrants as to itself, as applicable, and AXA, with respect to sections 2.13 through 2.17, further represents and warrants, that: 2.1 AXA has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil et surveillance under French law and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, the Guarantee, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.2 AXA Financial is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.3 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized by such Issuer and the Guarantor, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor, enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantor, in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, 5 reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.4 The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.5 The Guarantee has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.6 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, the offer and sale of the Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. 2.7 The Notes and the Guarantee will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be (save in each case for certain obligations required to be preferred by French law). 2.8 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, no consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC, is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. 2.9 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Guarantee and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the constitutional documents of such Issuer or the Guarantor, any contract or instrument to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default might be material in the context of the commercial paper program contemplated by this Agreement or the issuance of Notes. 6 2.10 Except as disclosed in the Company Information, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of such Issuer or the Guarantor threatened, against or affecting such Issuer or the Guarantor or any of its respective subsidiaries, which is required to be described in the Issuer's or the Guarantor's SEC filings. 2.11 Neither of such Issuer nor the Guarantor is now, or will be as a result of the sale of any Notes or the receipt or application of the proceeds thereof, an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (as such terms are used in the Investment Company Act). 2.12 Each (a) issuance of Notes by such Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to the Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor set forth in this Section 2 remain true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer, enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, are guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included in or incorporated in the Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no change which has had or, to the best of such Issuer's or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor's knowledge is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or the consolidated operating results of such Issuer or such Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, in the case of guaranteed Notes of the Guarantor or the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, which has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing and (iv) neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor is in default of any of its obligations hereunder or under the Notes, the Guarantee (in the case of Guaranteed Notes) or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.13 Neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that the AXA makes no representation as to the Dealer Information. 2.14 Under the laws of the Republic of France neither AXA nor any of its revenues, assets or properties has any right of immunity from service of process or from the jurisdiction of 7 competent courts of the Republic of France or the United States or the State of New York in connection with any suit, action or proceeding, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment or execution of a judgment or from any other legal process with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes or the Guarantee. 2.15 The choice of New York law to govern this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee and the Notes is, under the laws of the Republic of France, a valid, effective and irrevocable choice of law, and the submission by AXA in Section 7.3 (b) of the Agreement to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States District Court and the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan is valid and binding upon AXA under the laws of the Republic of France. 2.16 Any final judgment rendered by any court referred to in Section 2.15 in an action to enforce the obligations of AXA under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes is capable of being enforced in the courts of the Republic of France. 2.17 As a condition to the admissibility in evidence of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes in the courts of the Republic of France, it is not necessary that this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes be filed or recorded with any court or other authority. All documentary evidence to be submitted to a court in the Republic of France must be in, or translated into, the French language and certified by a duly qualified official translator in the Republic of France. 3. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, covenants and agrees with respect to itself, as applicable, that: 3.1 Such Issuer and the Guarantor will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver. 3.2 Such Issuer and the Guarantor, shall, whenever there shall occur any event making untrue or incorrect to an extent which is material in the context of the issue and offer of any Notes, any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2, promptly, after becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing). 3.3 Such Issuer and the Guarantor shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or other publicly available information, regarding (i) the operations and financial condition of such Issuer or the Guarantor (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and the Guarantee, (iii) such Issuer's ability to pay the Notes as they mature and (iv) the Guarantor's obligation to fulfill its obligations under the Guarantee. 8 3.4 Such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws; provided, however, that neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. 3.5 Such Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) opinions of (i) U.S. counsel to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-1 hereto, (ii) French counsel to AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-2 hereto, (iii) the General Counsel of AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-3 hereto and (iv) the Deputy General Counsel of AXA Financial substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-4 hereto (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) an executed copy of the Guarantee and (d) a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Boards of Directors or other governing body of each Issuer and the Guarantor, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and certified by the Secretary or similar officer of such Issuer and the Guarantor, authorizing execution and delivery by such Issuer and the Guarantor of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes and and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and consummation by such Issuer and the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (e) prior to the issuance of any book-entry Notes represented by a master note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC and of the executed master note, (f) prior to the issuance of any Notes in physical form, a copy of such form (unless attached to this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement) and (g) such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested. 3.6 AXA shall reimburse the Dealer for all of the Dealer's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including expenses incurred in connection with its preparation and negotiation, and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, the printing and distribution of the Private Placement Memorandum) up to a total aggregate amount of $7,000, and, if applicable, for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Dealer's counsel. 4. DISCLOSURE. 4.1 The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of AXA and, to the extent specifically relating to AXA Financial, AXA Financial. The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain a statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, AXA concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant additional information which AXA possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense. 9 4.2 AXA agrees to promptly furnish the Dealer the Company Information as it becomes available. 4.3 (a) Upon the occurrence of any event (a "Section 4.3 Event") relating to or affecting an Issuer or the Guarantor that would cause the Private Placement Memorandum then in existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, AXA agrees, except during a Blackout Period (as defined below), promptly to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private Placement Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and AXA shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer. (b) At any time, AXA may notify the Dealer ("Section 4.3 Notice") that all sales and solicitations of Notes shall be suspended because a Section 4.3 Event has occurred or may occur and AXA has determined that it would be inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum at that time (each period beginning at the time of delivery of such notice and ending when AXA provides notice to the Dealer that solicitations and sales of Notes may resume because it is no longer inappropriate to so amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum, a "Blackout Period"). AXA agrees that it shall provide the notice constituting the end of the Blackout Period as promptly as possible after making the determination that it is no longer inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum. (c) The Dealer agrees promptly to notify AXA if it was holding Notes in inventory at the time of its receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice ("Inventory Notes"). AXA agrees that if the Dealer was holding Inventory Notes at the time of the Dealer's receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice, AXA shall indemnify the Dealer for losses, if any, resulting from its inability to sell the Inventory Notes during the related Blackout Period (it being understood that these losses do not include any losses that result solely from the occurrence or public announcement of the Section 4.3 Event). 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. 5.1 (a) AXA will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the "Indemnitees") against any and all liabilities, penalties, suits, causes of action, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a "Claim"), imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum or the Company Information included (as of any relevant time) or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) the breach by AXA of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement and (b) AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold 10 harmless the Indemnitees against any Claim imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon the breach by AXA Financial of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based upon Dealer Information. 5.2 Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement. 5.3 In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnitees, although applicable in accordance with the terms of this Section 5, AXA (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) or AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective economic interests of AXA, or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, and the Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by AXA or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates. The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to applicable Issuer of the Notes issued hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder. 6. DEFINITIONS. 6.1 "Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.2 "Company Information" at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum together with, to the extent applicable, (i) AXA's most recent report on Form 20-F, (ii) AXA's reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC since the most recent report on Form 20-F, (iii) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, (iv) for purposes of section 2.10 and with respect to AXA Financial only, AXA Financial's most recent report on Form 10-K and AXA Financial's reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC since its most recent report on From 10-K and (v) any information prepared or approved in writing by AXA specifically for dissemination to investors or potential investors in the Notes. 6.3 "Dealer Information" shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum. 6.4 "Exchange Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 6.5 "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.6 "Institutional Accredited Investor" shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution, as 11 defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity. 6.7 "Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement" shall mean the issuing and paying agency agreement described on the cover page of this Agreement, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time. 6.8 "Issuing and Paying Agent" shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, or any successor thereto in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 6.9 "Non-bank fiduciary or agent" shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan association, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act. 6.10 "Private Placement Memorandum" shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials incorporated by reference therein) provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement). 6.11 "Qualified Institutional Buyer" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.12 "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.13 "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 6.14 "Securities Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 7. GENERAL 7.1 Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the respective party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement. 7.2 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. 7.3 (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by such Issuer or the Guarantor, against the Dealer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes shall be brought solely in the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. EACH OF THE DEALER, THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR, WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 12 (b) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each of the aforesaid courts in personam, generally and unconditionally, for itself and in respect of its properties, assets and revenues, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. (c) AXA hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, and AXA Financial hereby accepts such appointment, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Issuer agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in The City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.3 satisfactory to the Dealer. AXA further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7.3 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Agreement. AXA agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes or the Dealer to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 7.4 This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuers, upon five business day's prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day's prior notice to such effect to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor. Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of an Issuer or the Guarantor under Sections 3.6, 5 and 7.3 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or responsibilities of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement. 13 7.5 This Agreement is not assignable by any party hereto without the written consent of the other parties. 7.6 This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 7.7 This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever; provided, however, that Sections 7.3(b) and (c) and Section 7.8 are hereby specifically and exclusively acknowledged to also be for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes, as third-party beneficiaries. 7.8 (a) Any payments to the Dealer hereunder or to any holder from time to time of Notes shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments of principal or interest in respect of the Notes be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, AXA will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the Noteholders or, if applicable, by the Dealer, of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that AXA shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. AXA will promptly pay any stamp duty or other taxes or governmental charges payable in connection with the execution, delivery, payment or performance of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes. (b) AXA agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer and each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by the Dealer or such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or under the Notes or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which the Dealer or such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by the Dealer or such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute separate and independent obligations of AXA and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. 7.9 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Dealer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm's length contractual counterparty to the Issuers and the Guarantor with respect to the offering of the Notes contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the price and terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of (except to the extent explicitly set forth herein), either Issuer or the Guarantor or 14 any other person. The Dealer has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Dealer has advised or is currently advising either Issuer or the Guarantor on other matters) or any other obligation to either Issuer or the Guarantor except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement. Additionally, the Dealer is not advising either Issuer or the Guarantor, or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Dealer shall have no responsibility or liability to either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect thereto. Any review by the Dealer of an Issuer, the Guarantor, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Dealer and shall not be on behalf of either of the Issuers or the Guarantor. 7.10 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Issuers or the Guarantor and the Dealer with respect to the subject matter hereof. 15 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written. AXA, AS ISSUER AND GUARANTOR J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC., AS DEALER By: /s/ Denis Duverne By: /s/ Johanna C. Foley ----------------------------- -------------------------------- Name: Denis Duverne Name: Johanna C. Foley Title: Chief Financial Officer and Title: Executive Director Member of the Management Board AXA FINANCIAL, INC., AS ISSUER By: /s/ Kevin R. Byrne ----------------------------- Name: Kevin R. Byrne Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer ADDENDUM The following additional clauses shall apply to the Agreement and be deemed a part thereof. 1. The other dealers referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement are Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC. 2. The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows: FOR AXA: Address: 21 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France Attention: DCFG/Capital Market Solutions Telephone number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-57-97 Fax number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-58-28 FOR AXA FINANCIAL, INC. Address: 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10104 Attention: Treasury Department Telephone number: (212) 314-4135 Fax number: (212) 314-1504 FOR THE DEALER: Address: 270 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Attention: Short Term Fixed Income Division Telephone number: (212) 834-5543 Fax number: (212) 834-6172 EXHIBIT A FORM OF LEGEND FOR PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM AND NOTES [NEITHER]* THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY [NOR THE GUARANTEE THEREOF]* HAVE [NOT]** BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW, AND OFFERS AND SALES THEREOF MAY BE MADE ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER WILL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT (I) IT HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS RELATING TO THE ISSUER [, THE GUARANTOR, THE GUARANTEE]* AND THE NOTES, (II) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE WITH A VIEW TO ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND (III) IT IS EITHER (A)(1) AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE ACT (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AND (2)(i) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, (ii) A BANK (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(2) OF THE ACT) OR A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR OTHER INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(5)(A) OF THE ACT) ACTING IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR FIDUCIARY CAPACITY OR (iii) A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT (OTHER THAN A U.S. BANK OR SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR; OR (B) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER ("QIB") WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS, EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS A QIB; AND THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THE SELLER MAY RELY UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER THEREOF SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO AGREE THAT ANY RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE MADE ONLY (A) IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, EITHER (1) TO THE ISSUER [OR, IN RESPECT OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTORS]* OR TO A PLACEMENT AGENT DESIGNATED BY THE ISSUER AS A PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE NOTES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "PLACEMENT AGENTS"), NONE OF WHICH SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ACQUIRE SUCH NOTE, (2) THROUGH A PLACEMENT AGENT TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, OR A QIB, OR (3) TO A QIB IN A TRANSACTION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A AND (B) IN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF $250,000. * Insert in Legend for Guaranteed Notes. ** Insert in Legend for non-Guaranteed Notes. EXHIBIT B FURTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO INDEMNIFICATION (a) AXA agrees (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) and AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, agree (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of external counsel) reasonably promptly after receipt of reasonably detailed invoices (excluding any confidential information) from the Dealer for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Dealer in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a party to any such proceedings). (b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, notify such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, in writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by it of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from liability which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor of the existence thereof, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim include both the Indemnitee and either the Issuer or the Guarantor or both, and the Indemnitee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, the Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee. Upon receipt of notice from such Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, to such Indemnitee of the election of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, to assume the defense of such Claim and approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that neither the Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor, shall be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Dealer, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnitee. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Issuer, the Guarantor, as the case may be, and any Indemnitee. Each of such Issuer and, as the case may be, the Guarantor, agrees that without the Dealer's prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnitee. Neither such Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor will be liable for any Claim which may result from any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of a judgment of any Claim effected by the Dealer without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with the consent of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnitee from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. EXHIBIT C STATEMENT OF TERMS FOR INTEREST - BEARING COMMERCIAL PAPER NOTES OF AXA AND AXA FINANCIAL THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH BELOW ARE QUALIFIED TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE BY THE TRANSACTION SPECIFIC [PRICING] [PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM] SUPPLEMENT (THE "SUPPLEMENT") (IF ANY) SENT TO EACH PURCHASER AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSACTION. 1. General. (a) The obligations of the Issuer to which these terms apply (each a "Note") are represented by one or more Master Notes (each, a "Master Note") issued in the name of (or of a nominee for) The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), which Master Note includes the terms and provisions for the Issuer's Interest-Bearing Commercial Paper Notes that are set forth in this Statement of Terms, since this Statement of Terms constitutes an integral part of the Underlying Records as defined and referred to in the Master Note. (b) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, executive order or regulation to be closed in New York City and, with respect to LIBOR Notes (as defined below) is also a London Business Day. "London Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market. 2. Interest. (a) Each Note will bear interest at a fixed rate (a "Fixed Rate Note") or at a floating rate (a "Floating Rate Note"). (b) The Supplement sent to each holder of such Note will describe the following terms: (i) whether such Note is a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note and whether such Note is an Original Issue Discount Note (as defined below); (ii) the date on which such Note will be issued (the "Issue Date"); (iii) the Stated Maturity Date (as defined below); (iv) if such Note is a Fixed Rate Note, the rate per annum at which such Note will bear interest, if any, and the Interest Payment Dates; (v) if such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the Base Rate, the Index Maturity, the Interest Reset Dates, the Interest Payment Dates and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any (all as defined below), and any other terms relating to the particular method of calculating the interest rate for such Note; and (vi) any other terms applicable specifically to such Note. "Original Issue Discount Note" means a Note which has a stated redemption price at the Stated Maturity Date that exceeds its Issue Price by more than a specified de minimis amount and which the Supplement indicates will be an "Original Issue Discount Note". (c) Each Fixed Rate Note will bear interest from its Issue Date at the rate per annum specified in the Supplement until the principal amount thereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will be payable on the dates specified in the Supplement (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Fixed Rate Note) and on the Maturity Date (as defined below). Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest will be payable on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on that next succeeding Business Day. (d) The interest rate on each Floating Rate Note for each Interest Reset Period (as defined below) will be determined by reference to an interest rate basis (a "Base Rate") plus or minus a number of basis points (one basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point) (the "Spread"), if any, and/or multiplied by a certain percentage (the "Spread Multiplier"), if any, until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. The Supplement will designate which of the following Base Rates is applicable to the related Floating Rate Note: (a) the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Note"), (b) the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper Rate Note"), (c) the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate Note"), (d) LIBOR (a "LIBOR Note"), (e) the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Note"), (f) the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Note") or (g) such other Base Rate as may be specified in such Supplement. The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually (the "Interest Reset Period"). The date or dates on which interest will be reset (each an "Interest Reset Date") will be, unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset daily, each Business Day, in the case of Floating Rate Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes) that reset weekly, the Wednesday of each week; in the case of Treasury Rate Notes that reset weekly, the Tuesday of each week; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset monthly, the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. If any Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. Interest on each Floating Rate Note will be payable monthly, quarterly or semiannually (the "Interest Payment Period") and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, and except as provided below, the date or dates on which interest will be payable (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Floating Rate Note) will be, in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a monthly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a quarterly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a semiannual Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. In addition, the Maturity Date will also be an Interest Payment Date. If any Interest Payment Date for any Floating Rate Note (other than an Interest Payment Date occurring on the Maturity Date) would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of principal and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such maturity. Interest payments on each Interest Payment Date for Floating Rate Notes will include accrued interest from and including the Issue Date or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date. On the Maturity Date, the interest payable on a Floating Rate Note will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. Accrued interest will be calculated by multiplying the principal amount of a Floating Rate Note by an accrued interest factor. This accrued interest factor will be computed by adding the interest factors calculated for each day in the period for which accrued interest is being calculated. The interest factor (expressed as a decimal) for each such day will be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360, in the cases where the Base Rate is the CD Rate, Commercial Paper Rate, Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or Prime Rate, or by the actual number of days in the year, in the case where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate. The interest rate in effect on each day will be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) pertaining to such Interest Reset Date, or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the next preceding Interest Reset Date, subject in either case to any adjustment by a Spread and/or a Spread Multiplier. The "Interest Determination Date" where the Base Rate is the CD Rate or the Commercial Paper Rate will be the second Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate will be the Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is LIBOR will be the second London Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate will be the day of the week in which such Interest Reset Date falls when Treasury Bills are normally auctioned. Treasury Bills are normally sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is held on the following Tuesday or the preceding Friday. If an auction is so held on the preceding Friday, such Friday will be the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next succeeding week. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation from which the applicable Base Rate is calculated. The "Calculation Date," where applicable, shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day following the applicable Interest Determination Date or (ii) the Business Day preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date. All times referred to herein reflect New York City time, unless otherwise specified. The Issuer shall specify in writing to the Issuing and Paying Agent which party will be the calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent") with respect to the Floating Rate Notes. The Calculation Agent will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate which will become effective on the next Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note to the Issuing and Paying Agent as soon as the interest rate with respect to such Floating Rate Note has been determined and as soon as practicable after any change in such interest rate. All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in the case of U.S. dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards). CD Rate Notes "CD Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for negotiable certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB") in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication of the FRB ("H.15(519)") under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the CD Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date set forth in the daily update of H.15(519), available through the world wide website of the FRB at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/Update, or any successor site or publication or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate ("H.15 Daily Update") under the caption "CDs (Secondary Market)". If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the CD Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks of the highest credit standing in the market for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity in the denomination of $5,000,000. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as set forth above, the CD Rate will remain the CD Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. Commercial Paper Rate Notes "Commercial Paper Rate" means the Money Market Yield (calculated as described below) of the rate on any Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity, as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Money Market Yield of the rate on such Interest Determination Date for commercial paper of the Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If by 3:00 p.m. on such Calculation Date such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Commercial Paper Rate to be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of U.S. dollar commercial paper in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper of the Index Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Commercial Paper Rate with respect to such Interest Determination Date will remain the Commercial Paper Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Money Market Yield" will be a yield calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x 360 -------------------- Money Market Yield = x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated. Federal Funds Rate Notes "Federal Funds Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" and displayed on Reuters (or any successor service) on page FEDFUNDS1 (or any other page as may replace the specified page on that service) ("Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1") under the heading "EFFECT". If the above rate does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Federal Funds/(Effective)". If such rate is not published as described above by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Federal Funds Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight U.S. dollar federal funds arranged by each of three leading brokers of Federal Funds transactions in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date. If the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Federal Funds Rate will remain the Federal Funds Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. LIBOR Notes The London Interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date, the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 a.m. London time, on such Interest Determination Date. If no rate appears, LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such Interest Determination Date at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in such market selected by the Calculation Agent for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in principal amount equal to an amount that in the Calculation Agent's judgment is representative for a single transaction in U.S. dollars in such market at such time (a "Representative Amount"). The Calculation Agent will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR for such interest period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in New York City, on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City, selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks, for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in a Representative Amount; provided, however, that if fewer than three banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are providing such quotations, the then existing LIBOR rate will remain in effect for such Interest Payment Period. "Designated LIBOR Page" means Reuters Screen LIBOR01 (or such other screen as may replace such page on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association for the purposes of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits). Prime Rate Notes "Prime Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update opposite the caption "Bank Prime Loan". If the rate is not published prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate as of 11:00 a.m. on that Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates referred to above are so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as of the close of business on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent. If the banks selected are not quoting as mentioned above, the Prime Rate will remain the Prime Rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page "US PRIME1" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the US PRIME1 page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks). Treasury Rate Notes "Treasury Rate" means: (1) the rate from the auction held on the Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement under the caption "INVEST RATE" on the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on page USAUCTION10 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION10") or page USAUCTION11 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION11"), or (2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield (as defined below) of the rate for the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction High", or (3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the auction rate of the applicable Treasury Bills as announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or (4) if the rate referred to in clause (3) is not so announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or if the Auction is not held, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15(519) under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (5) if the rate referred to in clause (4) not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (6) if the rate referred to in clause (5) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the Bond Equivalent Yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 p.m. on that Interest Determination Date, of three primary United States government securities dealers selected by the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement, or (7) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (6), the Treasury Rate in effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. "Bond Equivalent Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x N --------------- Bond Equivalent Yield = x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for Treasury Bills quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, "N" refers to 365 or 366, as the case may be, and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Reset Period. 3. Final Maturity. The Stated Maturity Date for any Note will be the date so specified in the Supplement, which shall be no later than 397 days from the date of issuance. On its Stated Maturity Date, or any date prior to the Stated Maturity Date on which the particular Note becomes due and payable by the declaration of acceleration, each such date being referred to as a Maturity Date, the principal amount of each Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, will be immediately due and payable. 4. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" with respect to a Note: (i) default for 15 days in any payment of principal or interest on such Note (including on a redemption thereof); (ii) the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, applies for, or is subject to, the appointment of a mandataire ad hoc under French bankruptcy law or makes any proposal for a general moratorium in relation to its debt or enters into an amicable procedure (procedure de conciliation) with its creditors or a judgment is rendered for its judicial liquidation (liquidation judiciaire) or for a judicial transfer of the whole of the business (cession totale de l'entreprise) of the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, or to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, makes any conveyance, assignment or other arrangement for the benefit of its creditors generally or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is subject to any other insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is wound up or dissolved except in connection with a merger where the entity resulting from such merger assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes; Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the principal of each obligation evidenced by such Note (together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon) shall become, without any notice or demand, immediately due and payable. 5. Obligation Absolute. No provision of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement under which the Notes are issued shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on each Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. 6. Supplement. Any term contained in the Supplement shall supersede any conflicting term contained herein. EXHIBIT D FORM OF GUARANTEE GUARANTEE GUARANTEE, dated as of __________, ____, of AXA SA, a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil de surveillance organized under the laws of France (the "Guarantor"). The Guarantor, for value received, hereby agrees as follows for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes hereinafter described: 1. The Guarantor irrevocably guarantees payment in full, as and when the same becomes due and payable, of the principal of and interest, if any, on the promissory notes (the "Notes") issued by AXA Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Guarantor (the "Issuer"), from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of __________, ____, as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, between the Issuer , the Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the "Agreement"). 2. The Guarantor's obligations under this Guarantee shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of any provision of the Agreement or the Notes. 3. This Guarantee is a guaranty of the due and punctual payment (and not merely of collection) of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes by the Issuer and shall remain in full force and effect until all amounts have been validly, finally and irrevocably paid in full, and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance or condition whatsoever, including without limitation (a) the absence of any action to obtain such amounts from the Issuer, (b) any variation, extension, waiver, compromise or release of any or all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Agreement or the Notes or of any collateral security therefore or (c) any change in the existence or structure of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Issuer or by any other circumstance (other than by complete, irrevocable payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or surety. The Guarantor waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of any kind with respect to the Agreement and the Notes. 4. In the event of a default in payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, the holders of such Notes, may institute legal proceedings directly against the Guarantor to enforce this Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer. 5. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect or shall be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time any payment by the Issuer of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, in whole or in part, is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. 6. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 7. (a) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan and the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. (b) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, Inc, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Guarantee. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Guarantor agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7. The Guarantor further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Guarantee. The Guarantor agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 8. Any payments under this Guarantee shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments under this Guarantee be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, the Guarantor will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the persons entitled to such payment of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that the Guarantor shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. 9. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or thereunder and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Guarantor and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. AXA SA By: -------------------------- Exhibit E-1 FORM OF OPINION OF U.S. COUNSEL TO THE ISSUERS AND, IN THE CASE OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTOR EXHIBIT E-2 FORM OF OPINION OF FRENCH COUNSEL TO AXA EXHIBIT E-3 FORM OF OPINION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA EXHIBIT E-4 FORM OF OPINION OF THE DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA FINANCIAL - ---------------------- EX-10.3 4 e10941_ex10-3.txt EXECUTION COPY COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) Program - Foreign Issuer and Guaranteed Among: AXA FINANCIAL, INC. ("AXA Financial"), as Issuer, AXA SA ("AXA"), as Issuer and, with respect to Notes issued by AXA Financial, as Guarantor (in such capacity, the "Guarantor"), and CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. as Dealer. Concerning Notes to be issued pursuant to an Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of June 3, 2009 among the Issuers, the Guarantor and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Issuing and Paying Agent Dated as of June 3, 2009 COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) PROGRAM This agreement (the "Agreement") sets forth the understandings among each of the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Dealer, each named on the cover page hereof, in connection with the issuance and sale by each of the Issuers of its short-term promissory notes (the "Notes") through the Dealer. AXA, in its capacity as Guarantor, has agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to guarantee payment in full of the principal of and interest (if any) on all Notes issued by AXA Financial (the "Guaranteed Notes"), pursuant to a guarantee, dated the date hereof, in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the "Guarantee"). Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6 hereof. The Addendum to this Agreement, and any Annexes or Exhibits described in this Agreement or such Addendum, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and made fully a part hereof. 1. OFFERS, SALES AND RESALES OF NOTES. 1.1. While (i) neither of the Issuers has or shall have any obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the relevant Issuer, and (ii) the Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes 1 from any Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of any Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from an Issuer, or arranges for the sale of Notes by an Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of such Issuer, and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein. 1.2. So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section 1.7 hereof, none of the Issuers, nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall, without the consent of the Dealer, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes except (a) in transactions with one or more dealers which may from time to time after the date hereof become dealers with respect to the Notes by executing with the Issuers and the Guarantor, one or more agreements which contain provisions substantially identical to those contained in Section 1 of this Agreement, of which each of the Issuers hereby undertakes to provide the Dealer prompt notice or (b) in transactions with the other dealers listed on the Addendum hereto, which are executing agreements with each of the Issuers and the Guarantor which contain provisions substantially identical to Section 1 of this Agreement contemporaneously herewith. In no event shall either of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes directly on its own behalf in transactions with persons other than broker-dealers as specifically permitted in this Section 1.2. 1.3. The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at such discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall have a maturity not exceeding 397 days from the date of issuance and may have such terms as are specified in Exhibit C hereto or the Private Placement Memorandum. The Notes shall not contain any provision for extension, renewal or automatic "rollover." 1.4. The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall be either individual physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by one or more master notes (each, a "Master Note") registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee, in the form or forms annexed to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 1.5. If the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to, agreement with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate or interest rate index and margin (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis), and appropriate compensation for the Dealer's services hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for such Note shall be made by the purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and 2 Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer. Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a purchaser shall either fail to accept delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid such Issuer for the Note, such Issuer will promptly return such funds to the Dealer against its return of the Note to such Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note. 1.6. The Dealer and each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes: (a) Offers and sales of the Notes by or through the Dealer shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers, Institutional Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional Accredited Investor. (b) Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below. (c) No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the prior written approval of the Dealer, none of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor shall issue any press release or place or publish any "tombstone" or other advertisement relating to the Notes. (d) No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount. If the purchaser is a non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes. (e) Offers and sales of the Notes by an Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for such Issuer shall be made in accordance with Rule 506 under the Securities Act, and shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto. A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement. (f) The Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect. The Private Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information from AXA regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the 3 Guarantor and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor may be obtained. (g) Each of the Issuers agrees and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer or the Guarantor, shall not be subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will furnish, upon request and at its or their expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule 144A(d). (h) In the event that any Note of an Issuer offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, such Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) upon becoming aware of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant information relating thereto. (i) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, represents that it is not currently issuing commercial paper or guarantees in the United States market in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, agrees that, if it shall issue commercial paper or guarantees after the date hereof in reliance upon such exemption (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a separate account; (b) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes or guarantees issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of Notes or the Guarantee hereunder; and (c) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States. 1.7. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows: (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)) within the preceding six months neither it nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof acting on its behalf has offered or sold any Notes, or any substantially similar security of such Issuer or the Guarantor (including, without limitation, medium-term notes issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor), to, or solicited offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof. 4 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor also agrees that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)), as long as the Notes are being offered for sale by the Dealer and the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof as contemplated hereby and until at least six months after the offer of Notes hereunder has been terminated, neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof (except as contemplated by Section 1.2 hereof) will offer the Notes or any substantially similar security of such Issuer for sale to, or solicit offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof, it being understood that such agreement is made with a view to bringing the offer and sale of the Notes within the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 thereunder and shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants that it has not taken or omitted to take, and will not take or omit to take, any action that would cause the offering and sale of Notes hereunder to be integrated with any other offering of securities, whether such offering is made by an Issuer or the Guarantor or some other party or parties under circumstances or in a manner that would cause the offering and sale of the Notes by an Issuer to fail to be exempt under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. (b) In the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or to Qualified Institutional Buyers it reasonably believes are acting for other Qualified Institutional Buyers, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or (ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder. 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, with respect to sections 2.1 through 2.12, represents and warrants as to itself, as applicable, and AXA, with respect to sections 2.13 through 2.17, further represents and warrants, that: 2.1 AXA has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil et surveillance under French law and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, the Guarantee, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.2 AXA Financial is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.3 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized by such Issuer and the Guarantor, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor, enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantor, in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, 5 reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.4 The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.5 The Guarantee has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.6 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, the offer and sale of the Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. 2.7 The Notes and the Guarantee will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be (save in each case for certain obligations required to be preferred by French law). 2.8 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, no consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC, is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. 2.9 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Guarantee and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the constitutional documents of such Issuer or the Guarantor, any contract or instrument to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default might be material in the context of the commercial paper program contemplated by this Agreement or the issuance of Notes. 6 2.10 Except as disclosed in the Company Information, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of such Issuer or the Guarantor threatened, against or affecting such Issuer or the Guarantor or any of its respective subsidiaries, which is required to be described in the Issuer's or the Guarantor's SEC filings. 2.11 Neither of such Issuer nor the Guarantor is now, or will be as a result of the sale of any Notes or the receipt or application of the proceeds thereof, an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (as such terms are used in the Investment Company Act). 2.12 Each (a) issuance of Notes by such Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to the Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor set forth in this Section 2 remain true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer, enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, are guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included in or incorporated in the Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no change which has had or, to the best of such Issuer's or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor's knowledge is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or the consolidated operating results of such Issuer or such Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, in the case of guaranteed Notes of the Guarantor or the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, which has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing and (iv) neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor is in default of any of its obligations hereunder or under the Notes, the Guarantee (in the case of Guaranteed Notes) or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.13 Neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that the AXA makes no representation as to the Dealer Information. 2.14 Under the laws of the Republic of France neither AXA nor any of its revenues, assets or properties has any right of immunity from service of process or from the jurisdiction of 7 competent courts of the Republic of France or the United States or the State of New York in connection with any suit, action or proceeding, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment or execution of a judgment or from any other legal process with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes or the Guarantee. 2.15 The choice of New York law to govern this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee and the Notes is, under the laws of the Republic of France, a valid, effective and irrevocable choice of law, and the submission by AXA in Section 7.3 (b) of the Agreement to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States District Court and the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan is valid and binding upon AXA under the laws of the Republic of France. 2.16 Any final judgment rendered by any court referred to in Section 2.15 in an action to enforce the obligations of AXA under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes is capable of being enforced in the courts of the Republic of France. 2.17 As a condition to the admissibility in evidence of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes in the courts of the Republic of France, it is not necessary that this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes be filed or recorded with any court or other authority. All documentary evidence to be submitted to a court in the Republic of France must be in, or translated into, the French language and certified by a duly qualified official translator in the Republic of France. 3. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, covenants and agrees with respect to itself, as applicable, that: 3.1 Such Issuer and the Guarantor will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver. 3.2 Such Issuer and the Guarantor, shall, whenever there shall occur any event making untrue or incorrect to an extent which is material in the context of the issue and offer of any Notes, any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2, promptly, after becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing). 3.3 Such Issuer and the Guarantor shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or other publicly available information, regarding (i) the operations and financial condition of such Issuer or the Guarantor (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and the Guarantee, (iii) such Issuer's ability to pay the Notes as they mature and (iv) the Guarantor's obligation to fulfill its obligations under the Guarantee. 8 3.4 Such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws; provided, however, that neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. 3.5 Such Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) opinions of (i) U.S. counsel to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-1 hereto, (ii) French counsel to AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-2 hereto (iii) the General Counsel of AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-3 hereto and (iv) the Deputy General Counsel of AXA Financial substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-4 hereto, (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) an executed copy of the Guarantee and (d) a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Boards of Directors or other governing body of each Issuer and the Guarantor, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and certified by the Secretary or similar officer of such Issuer and the Guarantor, authorizing execution and delivery by such Issuer and the Guarantor of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes and and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and consummation by such Issuer and the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (e) prior to the issuance of any book-entry Notes represented by a master note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC and of the executed master note, (f) prior to the issuance of any Notes in physical form, a copy of such form (unless attached to this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement) and (g) such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested. 3.6 AXA shall reimburse the Dealer for all of the Dealer's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including expenses incurred in connection with its preparation and negotiation, and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, the printing and distribution of the Private Placement Memorandum) up to a total aggregate amount of $7,000, and, if applicable, for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Dealer's counsel. 4. DISCLOSURE. 4.1 The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of AXA and, to the extent specifically relating to AXA Financial, AXA Financial. The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain a statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, AXA concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant additional information which AXA possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense. 9 4.2 AXA agrees to promptly furnish the Dealer the Company Information as it becomes available. 4.3 (a) Upon the occurrence of any event (a "Section 4.3 Event") relating to or affecting an Issuer or the Guarantor that would cause the Private Placement Memorandum then in existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, AXA agrees, except during a Blackout Period (as defined below), promptly to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private Placement Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and AXA shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer. (b) At any time, AXA may notify the Dealer ("Section 4.3 Notice") that all sales and solicitations of Notes shall be suspended because a Section 4.3 Event has occurred or may occur and AXA has determined that it would be inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum at that time (each period beginning at the time of delivery of such notice and ending when AXA provides notice to the Dealer that solicitations and sales of Notes may resume because it is no longer inappropriate to so amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum, a "Blackout Period"). AXA agrees that it shall provide the notice constituting the end of the Blackout Period as promptly as possible after making the determination that it is no longer inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum. (c) The Dealer agrees promptly to notify AXA if it was holding Notes in inventory at the time of its receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice ("Inventory Notes"). AXA agrees that if the Dealer was holding Inventory Notes at the time of the Dealer's receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice, AXA shall indemnify the Dealer for losses, if any, resulting from its inability to sell the Inventory Notes during the related Blackout Period (it being understood that these losses do not include any losses that result solely from the occurrence or public announcement of the Section 4.3 Event). 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. 5.1 (a) AXA will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the "Indemnitees") against any and all liabilities, penalties, suits, causes of action, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a "Claim"), imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum or the Company Information included (as of any relevant time) or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) the breach by AXA of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement and (b) AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold 10 harmless the Indemnitees against any Claim imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon the breach by AXA Financial of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based upon Dealer Information. 5.2 Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement. 5.3 In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnitees, although applicable in accordance with the terms of this Section 5, AXA (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) or AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective economic interests of AXA, or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, and the Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by AXA or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates. The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to applicable Issuer of the Notes issued hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder. 6. DEFINITIONS. 6.1 "Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.2 "Company Information" at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum together with, to the extent applicable, (i) AXA's most recent report on Form 20-F, (ii) AXA's reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC since the most recent report on Form 20-F, (iii) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, (iv) for purposes of section 2.10 and with respect to AXA Financial only, AXA Financial's most recent report on Form 10-K and AXA Financial's reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC since its most recent report on From 10-K and (v) any information prepared or approved in writing by AXA specifically for dissemination to investors or potential investors in the Notes. 6.3 "Dealer Information" shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum. 6.4 "Exchange Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 6.5 "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.6 "Institutional Accredited Investor" shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution, as 11 defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity. 6.7 "Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement" shall mean the issuing and paying agency agreement described on the cover page of this Agreement, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time. 6.8 "Issuing and Paying Agent" shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, or any successor thereto in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 6.9 "Non-bank fiduciary or agent" shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan association, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act. 6.10 "Private Placement Memorandum" shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials incorporated by reference therein) provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement). 6.11 "Qualified Institutional Buyer" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.12 "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.13 "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 6.14 "Securities Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 7. GENERAL 7.1 Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the respective party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement. 7.2 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. 7.3 (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by such Issuer or the Guarantor, against the Dealer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes shall be brought solely in the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. EACH OF THE DEALER, THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR, WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 12 (b) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each of the aforesaid courts in personam, generally and unconditionally, for itself and in respect of its properties, assets and revenues, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. (c) AXA hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, and AXA Financial hereby accepts such appointment, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Issuer agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in The City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.3 satisfactory to the Dealer. AXA further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7.3 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Agreement. AXA agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes or the Dealer to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 7.4 This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuers, upon five business day's prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day's prior notice to such effect to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor. Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of an Issuer or the Guarantor under Sections 3.6, 5 and 7.3 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or responsibilities of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement. 13 7.5 This Agreement is not assignable by any party hereto without the written consent of the other parties. 7.6 This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 7.7 This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever; provided, however, that Sections 7.3(b) and (c) and Section 7.8 are hereby specifically and exclusively acknowledged to also be for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes, as third-party beneficiaries. 7.8 (a) Any payments to the Dealer hereunder or to any holder from time to time of Notes shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments of principal or interest in respect of the Notes be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, AXA will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the Noteholders or, if applicable, by the Dealer, of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that AXA shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. AXA will promptly pay any stamp duty or other taxes or governmental charges payable in connection with the execution, delivery, payment or performance of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes. (b) AXA agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer and each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by the Dealer or such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or under the Notes or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which the Dealer or such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by the Dealer or such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute separate and independent obligations of AXA and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. 7.9 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Dealer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm's length contractual counterparty to the Issuers and the Guarantor with respect to the offering of the Notes contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the price and terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of (except to the extent explicitly set forth herein), either Issuer or the Guarantor or 14 any other person. The Dealer has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Dealer has advised or is currently advising either Issuer or the Guarantor on other matters) or any other obligation to either Issuer or the Guarantor except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement. Additionally, the Dealer is not advising either Issuer or the Guarantor, or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Dealer shall have no responsibility or liability to either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect thereto. Any review by the Dealer of an Issuer, the Guarantor, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Dealer and shall not be on behalf of either of the Issuers or the Guarantor. 7.10 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Issuers or the Guarantor and the Dealer with respect to the subject matter hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written. 15 AXA, AS ISSUER AND GUARANTOR CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., AS DEALER By: /s/ Denis Duverne By: /s/ James M. Hennessy ---------------------------- ----------------------------- Name: Denis Duverne Name: James M. Hennessy Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Managing Director and Member of the Management Board AXA FINANCIAL, INC., AS ISSUER By: /s/ Kevin R. Byrne ------------------------------------------- Name: Kevin R. Byrne Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer ADDENDUM The following additional clauses shall apply to the Agreement and be deemed a part thereof. 1. The other dealers referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement are J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC. 2. The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows: FOR AXA: Address: 21 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France Attention: DCFG/Capital Market Solutions Telephone number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-57-97 Fax number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-58-28 FOR AXA FINANCIAL, INC. Address: 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10104 Attention: Treasury Department Telephone number: (212) 314-4135 Fax number: (212) 314-1504 FOR THE DEALER: Address: 390 Greenwich Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013 Attention: Money Markets Origination Telephone number: (212) 723 6378 Fax number: (212) 723 8627 EXHIBIT A FORM OF LEGEND FOR PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM AND NOTES [NEITHER]* THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY [NOR THE GUARANTEE THEREOF]* HAVE [NOT]** BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW, AND OFFERS AND SALES THEREOF MAY BE MADE ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER WILL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT (I) IT HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS RELATING TO THE ISSUER [, THE GUARANTOR, THE GUARANTEE]* AND THE NOTES, (II) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE WITH A VIEW TO ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND (III) IT IS EITHER (A)(1) AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE ACT (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AND (2)(i) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, (ii) A BANK (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(2) OF THE ACT) OR A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR OTHER INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(5)(A) OF THE ACT) ACTING IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR FIDUCIARY CAPACITY OR (iii) A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT (OTHER THAN A U.S. BANK OR SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR; OR (B) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER ("QIB") WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS, EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS A QIB; AND THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THE SELLER MAY RELY UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER THEREOF SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO AGREE THAT ANY RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE MADE ONLY (A) IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, EITHER (1) TO THE ISSUER [OR, IN RESPECT OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTORS]* OR TO A PLACEMENT AGENT DESIGNATED BY THE ISSUER AS A PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE NOTES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "PLACEMENT AGENTS"), NONE OF WHICH SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ACQUIRE SUCH NOTE, (2) THROUGH A PLACEMENT AGENT TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, OR A QIB, OR (3) TO A QIB IN A TRANSACTION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A AND (B) IN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF $250,000. * Insert in Legend for Guaranteed Notes. ** Insert in Legend for non-Guaranteed Notes. EXHIBIT B FURTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO INDEMNIFICATION (a) AXA agrees (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) and AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, agree (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of external counsel) reasonably promptly after receipt of reasonably detailed invoices (excluding any confidential information) from the Dealer for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Dealer in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a party to any such proceedings). (b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, notify such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, in writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by it of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from liability which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor of the existence thereof, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim include both the Indemnitee and either the Issuer or the Guarantor or both, and the Indemnitee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, the Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee. Upon receipt of notice from such Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, to such Indemnitee of the election of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, to assume the defense of such Claim and approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that neither the Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor, shall be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Dealer, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnitee. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Issuer, the Guarantor, as the case may be, and any Indemnitee. Each of such Issuer and, as the case may be, the Guarantor, agrees that without the Dealer's prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnitee. Neither such Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor will be liable for any Claim which may result from any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of a judgment of any Claim effected by the Dealer without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with the consent of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnitee from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. EXHIBIT C STATEMENT OF TERMS FOR INTEREST - BEARING COMMERCIAL PAPER NOTES OF AXA AND AXA FINANCIAL THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH BELOW ARE QUALIFIED TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE BY THE TRANSACTION SPECIFIC [PRICING] [PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM] SUPPLEMENT (THE "SUPPLEMENT") (IF ANY) SENT TO EACH PURCHASER AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSACTION. 1. General. (a) The obligations of the Issuer to which these terms apply (each a "Note") are represented by one or more Master Notes (each, a "Master Note") issued in the name of (or of a nominee for) The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), which Master Note includes the terms and provisions for the Issuer's Interest-Bearing Commercial Paper Notes that are set forth in this Statement of Terms, since this Statement of Terms constitutes an integral part of the Underlying Records as defined and referred to in the Master Note. (b) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, executive order or regulation to be closed in New York City and, with respect to LIBOR Notes (as defined below) is also a London Business Day. "London Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market. 2. Interest. (a) Each Note will bear interest at a fixed rate (a "Fixed Rate Note") or at a floating rate (a "Floating Rate Note"). (b) The Supplement sent to each holder of such Note will describe the following terms: (i) whether such Note is a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note and whether such Note is an Original Issue Discount Note (as defined below); (ii) the date on which such Note will be issued (the "Issue Date"); (iii) the Stated Maturity Date (as defined below); (iv) if such Note is a Fixed Rate Note, the rate per annum at which such Note will bear interest, if any, and the Interest Payment Dates; (v) if such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the Base Rate, the Index Maturity, the Interest Reset Dates, the Interest Payment Dates and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any (all as defined below), and any other terms relating to the particular method of calculating the interest rate for such Note; and (vi) any other terms applicable specifically to such Note. "Original Issue Discount Note" means a Note which has a stated redemption price at the Stated Maturity Date that exceeds its Issue Price by more than a specified de minimis amount and which the Supplement indicates will be an "Original Issue Discount Note". (c) Each Fixed Rate Note will bear interest from its Issue Date at the rate per annum specified in the Supplement until the principal amount thereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will be payable on the dates specified in the Supplement (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Fixed Rate Note) and on the Maturity Date (as defined below). Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest will be payable on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on that next succeeding Business Day. (d) The interest rate on each Floating Rate Note for each Interest Reset Period (as defined below) will be determined by reference to an interest rate basis (a "Base Rate") plus or minus a number of basis points (one basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point) (the "Spread"), if any, and/or multiplied by a certain percentage (the "Spread Multiplier"), if any, until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. The Supplement will designate which of the following Base Rates is applicable to the related Floating Rate Note: (a) the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Note"), (b) the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper Rate Note"), (c) the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate Note"), (d) LIBOR (a "LIBOR Note"), (e) the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Note"), (f) the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Note") or (g) such other Base Rate as may be specified in such Supplement. The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually (the "Interest Reset Period"). The date or dates on which interest will be reset (each an "Interest Reset Date") will be, unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset daily, each Business Day, in the case of Floating Rate Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes) that reset weekly, the Wednesday of each week; in the case of Treasury Rate Notes that reset weekly, the Tuesday of each week; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset monthly, the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. If any Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. Interest on each Floating Rate Note will be payable monthly, quarterly or semiannually (the "Interest Payment Period") and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, and except as provided below, the date or dates on which interest will be payable (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Floating Rate Note) will be, in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a monthly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a quarterly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a semiannual Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. In addition, the Maturity Date will also be an Interest Payment Date. If any Interest Payment Date for any Floating Rate Note (other than an Interest Payment Date occurring on the Maturity Date) would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of principal and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such maturity. Interest payments on each Interest Payment Date for Floating Rate Notes will include accrued interest from and including the Issue Date or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date. On the Maturity Date, the interest payable on a Floating Rate Note will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. Accrued interest will be calculated by multiplying the principal amount of a Floating Rate Note by an accrued interest factor. This accrued interest factor will be computed by adding the interest factors calculated for each day in the period for which accrued interest is being calculated. The interest factor (expressed as a decimal) for each such day will be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360, in the cases where the Base Rate is the CD Rate, Commercial Paper Rate, Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or Prime Rate, or by the actual number of days in the year, in the case where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate. The interest rate in effect on each day will be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) pertaining to such Interest Reset Date, or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the next preceding Interest Reset Date, subject in either case to any adjustment by a Spread and/or a Spread Multiplier. The "Interest Determination Date" where the Base Rate is the CD Rate or the Commercial Paper Rate will be the second Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate will be the Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is LIBOR will be the second London Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate will be the day of the week in which such Interest Reset Date falls when Treasury Bills are normally auctioned. Treasury Bills are normally sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is held on the following Tuesday or the preceding Friday. If an auction is so held on the preceding Friday, such Friday will be the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next succeeding week. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation from which the applicable Base Rate is calculated. The "Calculation Date," where applicable, shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day following the applicable Interest Determination Date or (ii) the Business Day preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date. All times referred to herein reflect New York City time, unless otherwise specified. The Issuer shall specify in writing to the Issuing and Paying Agent which party will be the calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent") with respect to the Floating Rate Notes. The Calculation Agent will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate which will become effective on the next Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note to the Issuing and Paying Agent as soon as the interest rate with respect to such Floating Rate Note has been determined and as soon as practicable after any change in such interest rate. All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in the case of U.S. dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards). CD Rate Notes "CD Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for negotiable certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB") in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication of the FRB ("H.15(519)") under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the CD Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date set forth in the daily update of H.15(519), available through the world wide website of the FRB at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/Update, or any successor site or publication or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate ("H.15 Daily Update") under the caption "CDs (Secondary Market)". If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the CD Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks of the highest credit standing in the market for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity in the denomination of $5,000,000. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as set forth above, the CD Rate will remain the CD Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. Commercial Paper Rate Notes "Commercial Paper Rate" means the Money Market Yield (calculated as described below) of the rate on any Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity, as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Money Market Yield of the rate on such Interest Determination Date for commercial paper of the Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If by 3:00 p.m. on such Calculation Date such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Commercial Paper Rate to be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of U.S. dollar commercial paper in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper of the Index Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Commercial Paper Rate with respect to such Interest Determination Date will remain the Commercial Paper Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Money Market Yield" will be a yield calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x 360 ------------------ Money Market Yield = x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated. Federal Funds Rate Notes "Federal Funds Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" and displayed on Reuters (or any successor service) on page FEDFUNDS1 (or any other page as may replace the specified page on that service) ("Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1") under the heading "EFFECT". If the above rate does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Federal Funds/(Effective)". If such rate is not published as described above by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Federal Funds Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight U.S. dollar federal funds arranged by each of three leading brokers of Federal Funds transactions in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date. If the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Federal Funds Rate will remain the Federal Funds Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. LIBOR Notes The London Interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date, the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 a.m. London time, on such Interest Determination Date. If no rate appears, LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such Interest Determination Date at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in such market selected by the Calculation Agent for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in principal amount equal to an amount that in the Calculation Agent's judgment is representative for a single transaction in U.S. dollars in such market at such time (a "Representative Amount"). The Calculation Agent will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR for such interest period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in New York City, on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City, selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks, for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in a Representative Amount; provided, however, that if fewer than three banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are providing such quotations, the then existing LIBOR rate will remain in effect for such Interest Payment Period. "Designated LIBOR Page" means Reuters Screen LIBOR01 (or such other screen as may replace such page on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association for the purposes of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits). Prime Rate Notes "Prime Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update opposite the caption "Bank Prime Loan". If the rate is not published prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate as of 11:00 a.m. on that Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates referred to above are so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as of the close of business on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent. If the banks selected are not quoting as mentioned above, the Prime Rate will remain the Prime Rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page "US PRIME1" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the US PRIME1 page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks). Treasury Rate Notes "Treasury Rate" means: (1) the rate from the auction held on the Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement under the caption "INVEST RATE" on the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on page USAUCTION10 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION10") or page USAUCTION11 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION11"), or (2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield (as defined below) of the rate for the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction High", or (3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the auction rate of the applicable Treasury Bills as announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or (4) if the rate referred to in clause (3) is not so announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or if the Auction is not held, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15(519) under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (5) if the rate referred to in clause (4) not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (6) if the rate referred to in clause (5) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the Bond Equivalent Yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 p.m. on that Interest Determination Date, of three primary United States government securities dealers selected by the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement, or (7) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (6), the Treasury Rate in effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. "Bond Equivalent Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x N --------------- Bond Equivalent Yield = x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for Treasury Bills quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, "N" refers to 365 or 366, as the case may be, and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Reset Period. 3. Final Maturity. The Stated Maturity Date for any Note will be the date so specified in the Supplement, which shall be no later than 397 days from the date of issuance. On its Stated Maturity Date, or any date prior to the Stated Maturity Date on which the particular Note becomes due and payable by the declaration of acceleration, each such date being referred to as a Maturity Date, the principal amount of each Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, will be immediately due and payable. 4. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" with respect to a Note: (i) default for 15 days in any payment of principal or interest on such Note (including on a redemption thereof); (ii) the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, applies for, or is subject to, the appointment of a mandataire ad hoc under French bankruptcy law or makes any proposal for a general moratorium in relation to its debt or enters into an amicable procedure (procedure de conciliation) with its creditors or a judgment is rendered for its judicial liquidation (liquidation judiciaire) or for a judicial transfer of the whole of the business (cession totale de l'entreprise) of the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, or to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, makes any conveyance, assignment or other arrangement for the benefit of its creditors generally or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is subject to any other insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is wound up or dissolved except in connection with a merger where the entity resulting from such merger assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes; Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the principal of each obligation evidenced by such Note (together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon) shall become, without any notice or demand, immediately due and payable. 5. Obligation Absolute. No provision of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement under which the Notes are issued shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on each Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. 6. Supplement. Any term contained in the Supplement shall supersede any conflicting term contained herein. EXHIBIT D FORM OF GUARANTEE GUARANTEE GUARANTEE, dated as of __________, ____, of AXA SA, a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil de surveillance organized under the laws of France (the "Guarantor"). The Guarantor, for value received, hereby agrees as follows for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes hereinafter described: 1. The Guarantor irrevocably guarantees payment in full, as and when the same becomes due and payable, of the principal of and interest, if any, on the promissory notes (the "Notes") issued by AXA Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Guarantor (the "Issuer"), from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of __________, ____, as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, between the Issuer , the Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the "Agreement"). 2. The Guarantor's obligations under this Guarantee shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of any provision of the Agreement or the Notes. 3. This Guarantee is a guaranty of the due and punctual payment (and not merely of collection) of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes by the Issuer and shall remain in full force and effect until all amounts have been validly, finally and irrevocably paid in full, and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance or condition whatsoever, including without limitation (a) the absence of any action to obtain such amounts from the Issuer, (b) any variation, extension, waiver, compromise or release of any or all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Agreement or the Notes or of any collateral security therefore or (c) any change in the existence or structure of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Issuer or by any other circumstance (other than by complete, irrevocable payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or surety. The Guarantor waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of any kind with respect to the Agreement and the Notes. 4. In the event of a default in payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, the holders of such Notes, may institute legal proceedings directly against the Guarantor to enforce this Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer. 5. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect or shall be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time any payment by the Issuer of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, in whole or in part, is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. 6. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 7. (a) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan and the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. (b) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, Inc, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Guarantee. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Guarantor agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7. The Guarantor further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Guarantee. The Guarantor agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 8. Any payments under this Guarantee shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments under this Guarantee be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, the Guarantor will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the persons entitled to such payment of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that the Guarantor shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. 9. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or thereunder and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Guarantor and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. AXA SA By: --------------------------- Exhibit E-1 FORM OF OPINION OF U.S. COUNSEL TO THE ISSUERS AND, IN THE CASE OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTOR EXHIBIT E-2 FORM OF OPINION OF FRENCH COUNSEL TO AXA EXHIBIT E-3 FORM OF OPINION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA EXHIBIT E-4 FORM OF OPINION OF THE DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA FINANCIAL - ----------------------------------- EX-10.4 5 e10941_ex10-4.txt EXECUTION COPY COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) Program - Foreign Issuer and Guaranteed Among: AXA FINANCIAL, INC. ("AXA Financial"), as Issuer, AXA SA ("AXA"), as Issuer and, with respect to Notes issued by AXA Financial, as Guarantor (in such capacity, the "Guarantor"), and BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC as Dealer. Concerning Notes to be issued pursuant to an Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of June 3, 2009 among the Issuers, the Guarantor and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Issuing and Paying Agent Dated as of June 3, 2009 COMMERCIAL PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 4(2) PROGRAM This agreement (the "Agreement") sets forth the understandings among each of the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Dealer, each named on the cover page hereof, in connection with the issuance and sale by each of the Issuers of its short-term promissory notes (the "Notes") through the Dealer. AXA, in its capacity as Guarantor, has agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to guarantee payment in full of the principal of and interest (if any) on all Notes issued by AXA Financial (the "Guaranteed Notes"), pursuant to a guarantee, dated the date hereof, in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the "Guarantee"). Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6 hereof. The Addendum to this Agreement, and any Annexes or Exhibits described in this Agreement or such Addendum, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and made fully a part hereof. 1. OFFERS, SALES AND RESALES OF NOTES. 1.1. While (i) neither of the Issuers has or shall have any obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the relevant Issuer, and (ii) the Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes 1 from any Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of any Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from an Issuer, or arranges for the sale of Notes by an Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of such Issuer, and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein. 1.2. So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section 1.7 hereof, none of the Issuers, nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall, without the consent of the Dealer, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes except (a) in transactions with one or more dealers which may from time to time after the date hereof become dealers with respect to the Notes by executing with the Issuers and the Guarantor, one or more agreements which contain provisions substantially identical to those contained in Section 1 of this Agreement, of which each of the Issuers hereby undertakes to provide the Dealer prompt notice or (b) in transactions with the other dealers listed on the Addendum hereto, which are executing agreements with each of the Issuers and the Guarantor which contain provisions substantially identical to Section 1 of this Agreement contemporaneously herewith. In no event shall either of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes directly on its own behalf in transactions with persons other than broker-dealers as specifically permitted in this Section 1.2. 1.3. The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at such discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall have a maturity not exceeding 397 days from the date of issuance and may have such terms as are specified in Exhibit C hereto or the Private Placement Memorandum. The Notes shall not contain any provision for extension, renewal or automatic "rollover." 1.4. The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall be either individual physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by one or more master notes (each, a "Master Note") registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee, in the form or forms annexed to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 1.5. If the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to, agreement with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate or interest rate index and margin (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis), and appropriate compensation for the Dealer's services hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for such Note shall be made by the purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and 2 Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer. Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a purchaser shall either fail to accept delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid such Issuer for the Note, such Issuer will promptly return such funds to the Dealer against its return of the Note to such Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note. 1.6. The Dealer and each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes: (a) Offers and sales of the Notes by or through the Dealer shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers, Institutional Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional Accredited Investor. (b) Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below. (c) No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the prior written approval of the Dealer, none of the Issuers or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor shall issue any press release or place or publish any "tombstone" or other advertisement relating to the Notes. (d) No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount. If the purchaser is a non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes. (e) Offers and sales of the Notes by an Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for such Issuer shall be made in accordance with Rule 506 under the Securities Act, and shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto. A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement. (f) The Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect. The Private Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information from AXA regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the 3 Guarantor and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor may be obtained. (g) Each of the Issuers agrees and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer or the Guarantor, shall not be subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will furnish, upon request and at its or their expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule 144A(d). (h) In the event that any Note of an Issuer offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, such Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) upon becoming aware of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant information relating thereto. (i) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, represents that it is not currently issuing commercial paper or guarantees in the United States market in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, agrees that, if it shall issue commercial paper or guarantees after the date hereof in reliance upon such exemption (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a separate account; (b) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes or guarantees issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of Notes or the Guarantee hereunder; and (c) the relevant Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States. 1.7. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows: (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)) within the preceding six months neither it nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof acting on its behalf has offered or sold any Notes, or any substantially similar security of such Issuer or the Guarantor (including, without limitation, medium-term notes issued by such Issuer or the Guarantor), to, or solicited offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof. 4 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor also agrees that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)), as long as the Notes are being offered for sale by the Dealer and the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof as contemplated hereby and until at least six months after the offer of Notes hereunder has been terminated, neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof (except as contemplated by Section 1.2 hereof) will offer the Notes or any substantially similar security of such Issuer for sale to, or solicit offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof, it being understood that such agreement is made with a view to bringing the offer and sale of the Notes within the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 thereunder and shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, hereby represents and warrants that it has not taken or omitted to take, and will not take or omit to take, any action that would cause the offering and sale of Notes hereunder to be integrated with any other offering of securities, whether such offering is made by an Issuer or the Guarantor or some other party or parties under circumstances or in a manner that would cause the offering and sale of the Notes by an Issuer to fail to be exempt under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. (b) In the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or to Qualified Institutional Buyers it reasonably believes are acting for other Qualified Institutional Buyers, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or (ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder. 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, with respect to sections 2.1 through 2.12, represents and warrants as to itself, as applicable, and AXA, with respect to sections 2.13 through 2.17, further represents and warrants, that: 2.1 AXA has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil et surveillance under French law and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, the Guarantee, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.2 AXA Financial is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.3 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized by such Issuer and the Guarantor, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor, enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantor, in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, 5 reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.4 The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.5 The Guarantee has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 2.6 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, the offer and sale of the Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. 2.7 The Notes and the Guarantee will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be (save in each case for certain obligations required to be preferred by French law). 2.8 Assuming compliance by the Dealer with the procedures applicable to it set forth in Section 1 hereof, no consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC, is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. 2.9 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Guarantee and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the constitutional documents of such Issuer or the Guarantor, any contract or instrument to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which such Issuer or the Guarantor is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default might be material in the context of the commercial paper program contemplated by this Agreement or the issuance of Notes. 6 2.10 Except as disclosed in the Company Information, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of such Issuer or the Guarantor threatened, against or affecting such Issuer or the Guarantor or any of its respective subsidiaries, which is required to be described in the Issuer's or the Guarantor's SEC filings. 2.11 Neither of such Issuer nor the Guarantor is now, or will be as a result of the sale of any Notes or the receipt or application of the proceeds thereof, an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (as such terms are used in the Investment Company Act). 2.12 Each (a) issuance of Notes by such Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to the Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor set forth in this Section 2 remain true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Issuer, enforceable against such Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to the laws of bankruptcy, and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, are guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent consolidated financial statements included in or incorporated in the Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no change which has had or, to the best of such Issuer's or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor's knowledge is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or the consolidated operating results of such Issuer or such Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, in the case of guaranteed Notes of the Guarantor or the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of such Issuer or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, which has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing and (iv) neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor is in default of any of its obligations hereunder or under the Notes, the Guarantee (in the case of Guaranteed Notes) or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 2.13 Neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that the AXA makes no representation as to the Dealer Information. 2.14 Under the laws of the Republic of France neither AXA nor any of its revenues, assets or properties has any right of immunity from service of process or from the jurisdiction of 7 competent courts of the Republic of France or the United States or the State of New York in connection with any suit, action or proceeding, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment or execution of a judgment or from any other legal process with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes or the Guarantee. 2.15 The choice of New York law to govern this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee and the Notes is, under the laws of the Republic of France, a valid, effective and irrevocable choice of law, and the submission by AXA in Section 7.3 (b) of the Agreement to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States District Court and the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan is valid and binding upon AXA under the laws of the Republic of France. 2.16 Any final judgment rendered by any court referred to in Section 2.15 in an action to enforce the obligations of AXA under this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes is capable of being enforced in the courts of the Republic of France. 2.17 As a condition to the admissibility in evidence of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes in the courts of the Republic of France, it is not necessary that this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes be filed or recorded with any court or other authority. All documentary evidence to be submitted to a court in the Republic of France must be in, or translated into, the French language and certified by a duly qualified official translator in the Republic of France. 3. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor, covenants and agrees with respect to itself, as applicable, that: 3.1 Such Issuer and the Guarantor will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to, the Notes, the Guarantee or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver. 3.2 Such Issuer and the Guarantor, shall, whenever there shall occur any event making untrue or incorrect to an extent which is material in the context of the issue and offer of any Notes, any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2, promptly, after becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing). 3.3 Such Issuer and the Guarantor shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or other publicly available information, regarding (i) the operations and financial condition of such Issuer or the Guarantor (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and the Guarantee, (iii) such Issuer's ability to pay the Notes as they mature and (iv) the Guarantor's obligation to fulfill its obligations under the Guarantee. 8 3.4 Such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws; provided, however, that neither such Issuer nor, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, shall be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. 3.5 Such Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) opinions of (i) U.S. counsel to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-1 hereto, (ii) French counsel to AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-2 hereto, (iii) the General Counsel of AXA substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-3 hereto and (iv) the Deputy General Counsel of AXA Financial substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-4 hereto, (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) an executed copy of the Guarantee and (d) a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Boards of Directors or other governing body of each Issuer and the Guarantor, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and certified by the Secretary or similar officer of such Issuer and the Guarantor, authorizing execution and delivery by such Issuer and the Guarantor of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes and and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and consummation by such Issuer and the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (e) prior to the issuance of any book-entry Notes represented by a master note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among such Issuer and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC and of the executed master note, (f) prior to the issuance of any Notes in physical form, a copy of such form (unless attached to this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement) and (g) such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested. 3.6 AXA shall reimburse the Dealer for all of the Dealer's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including expenses incurred in connection with its preparation and negotiation, and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, the printing and distribution of the Private Placement Memorandum) up to a total aggregate amount of $7,000, and, if applicable, for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Dealer's counsel. 4. DISCLOSURE. 4.1 The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of AXA and, to the extent specifically relating to AXA Financial, AXA Financial. The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain a statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, AXA concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant additional information which AXA possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense. 9 4.2 AXA agrees to promptly furnish the Dealer the Company Information as it becomes available. 4.3 (a) Upon the occurrence of any event (a "Section 4.3 Event") relating to or affecting an Issuer or the Guarantor that would cause the Private Placement Memorandum then in existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, AXA agrees, except during a Blackout Period (as defined below), promptly to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private Placement Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and AXA shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer. (b) At any time, AXA may notify the Dealer ("Section 4.3 Notice") that all sales and solicitations of Notes shall be suspended because a Section 4.3 Event has occurred or may occur and AXA has determined that it would be inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum at that time (each period beginning at the time of delivery of such notice and ending when AXA provides notice to the Dealer that solicitations and sales of Notes may resume because it is no longer inappropriate to so amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum, a "Blackout Period"). AXA agrees that it shall provide the notice constituting the end of the Blackout Period as promptly as possible after making the determination that it is no longer inappropriate to amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum. (c) The Dealer agrees promptly to notify AXA if it was holding Notes in inventory at the time of its receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice ("Inventory Notes"). AXA agrees that if the Dealer was holding Inventory Notes at the time of the Dealer's receipt of the Section 4.3 Notice, AXA shall indemnify the Dealer for losses, if any, resulting from its inability to sell the Inventory Notes during the related Blackout Period (it being understood that these losses do not include any losses that result solely from the occurrence or public announcement of the Section 4.3 Event). 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. 5.1 (a) AXA will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the "Indemnitees") against any and all liabilities, penalties, suits, causes of action, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a "Claim"), imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum or the Company Information included (as of any relevant time) or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) the breach by AXA of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement and (b) AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold 10 harmless the Indemnitees against any Claim imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon the breach by AXA Financial of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based upon Dealer Information. 5.2 Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement. 5.3 In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnitees, although applicable in accordance with the terms of this Section 5, AXA (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) or AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective economic interests of AXA, or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, and the Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by AXA or AXA and AXA Financial, as the case may be, shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates. The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to applicable Issuer of the Notes issued hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder. 6. DEFINITIONS. 6.1 "Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.2 "Company Information" at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum together with, to the extent applicable, (i) AXA's most recent report on Form 20-F, (ii) AXA's reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC since the most recent report on Form 20-F, (iii) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, (iv) for purposes of section 2.10 and with respect to AXA Financial only, AXA Financial's most recent report on Form 10-K and AXA Financial's reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC since its most recent report on From 10-K and (v) any information prepared or approved in writing by AXA specifically for dissemination to investors or potential investors in the Notes. 6.3 "Dealer Information" shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum. 6.4 "Exchange Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 6.5 "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 6.6 "Institutional Accredited Investor" shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution, as 11 defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity. 6.7 "Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement" shall mean the issuing and paying agency agreement described on the cover page of this Agreement, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time. 6.8 "Issuing and Paying Agent" shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, or any successor thereto in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 6.9 "Non-bank fiduciary or agent" shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan association, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act. 6.10 "Private Placement Memorandum" shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials incorporated by reference therein) provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement). 6.11 "Qualified Institutional Buyer" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.12 "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 6.13 "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 6.14 "Securities Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 7. GENERAL 7.1 Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the respective party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement. 7.2 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. 7.3 (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by such Issuer or the Guarantor, against the Dealer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes shall be brought solely in the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. EACH OF THE DEALER, THE ISSUERS AND THE GUARANTOR, WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 12 (b) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each of the aforesaid courts in personam, generally and unconditionally, for itself and in respect of its properties, assets and revenues, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. (c) AXA hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, and AXA Financial hereby accepts such appointment, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Issuer agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in The City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.3 satisfactory to the Dealer. AXA further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7.3 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Agreement. AXA agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes or the Dealer to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement brought in the courts listed in Section 7.3(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 7.4 This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuers, upon five business day's prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day's prior notice to such effect to the Issuers and, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantor. Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of an Issuer or the Guarantor under Sections 3.6, 5 and 7.3 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or responsibilities of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement. 13 7.5 This Agreement is not assignable by any party hereto without the written consent of the other parties. 7.6 This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 7.7 This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever; provided, however, that Sections 7.3(b) and (c) and Section 7.8 are hereby specifically and exclusively acknowledged to also be for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes, as third-party beneficiaries. 7.8 (a) Any payments to the Dealer hereunder or to any holder from time to time of Notes shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments of principal or interest in respect of the Notes be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, AXA will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the Noteholders or, if applicable, by the Dealer, of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that AXA shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. AXA will promptly pay any stamp duty or other taxes or governmental charges payable in connection with the execution, delivery, payment or performance of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, the Guarantee or the Notes. (b) AXA agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer and each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by the Dealer or such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or under the Notes or, in the case of Guaranteed Notes, the Guarantee and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which the Dealer or such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by the Dealer or such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute separate and independent obligations of AXA and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. 7.9 Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Dealer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm's length contractual counterparty to the Issuers and the Guarantor with respect to the offering of the Notes contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the price and terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of (except to the extent explicitly set forth herein), either Issuer or the Guarantor or 14 any other person. The Dealer has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Dealer has advised or is currently advising either Issuer or the Guarantor on other matters) or any other obligation to either Issuer or the Guarantor except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement. Additionally, the Dealer is not advising either Issuer or the Guarantor, or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantor shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Dealer shall have no responsibility or liability to either Issuer or the Guarantor with respect thereto. Any review by the Dealer of an Issuer, the Guarantor, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Dealer and shall not be on behalf of either of the Issuers or the Guarantor. 7.10 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Issuers or the Guarantor and the Dealer with respect to the subject matter hereof. 15 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written. AXA, AS ISSUER AND GUARANTOR BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC, AS DEALER By: /s/ Denis Duverne By: /s/ Ralph Esposito ------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Name: Denis Duverne Name: Ralph Esposito Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Principal and Member of the Management Board AXA FINANCIAL, INC., AS ISSUER By: /s/ Kevin R. Byrne ------------------------------------- Name: Kevin R. Byrne Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer ADDENDUM The following additional clauses shall apply to the Agreement and be deemed a part thereof. 1. The other dealers referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement are J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 2. The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows: FOR AXA: Address: 21 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France Attention: DCFG/Capital Market Solutions Telephone number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-57-97 Fax number: +33 (0) 1-40-75-58-28 FOR AXA FINANCIAL, INC. Address: 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10104 Attention: Treasury Department Telephone number: (212) 314-4135 Fax number: (212) 314-1504 FOR THE DEALER: Address: One Bryant Park, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036 Attention: Global Investor Marketing Telephone number: (646) 855-3019 Fax number: (646) 855-0107 EXHIBIT A FORM OF LEGEND FOR PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM AND NOTES [NEITHER]* THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY [NOR THE GUARANTEE THEREOF]* HAVE [NOT]** BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW, AND OFFERS AND SALES THEREOF MAY BE MADE ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER WILL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT (I) IT HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS RELATING TO THE ISSUER [, THE GUARANTOR, THE GUARANTEE]* AND THE NOTES, (II) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE WITH A VIEW TO ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND (III) IT IS EITHER (A)(1) AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE ACT (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AND (2)(i) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, (ii) A BANK (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(2) OF THE ACT) OR A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR OTHER INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(5)(A) OF THE ACT) ACTING IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR FIDUCIARY CAPACITY OR (iii) A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT (OTHER THAN A U.S. BANK OR SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR; OR (B) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER ("QIB") WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS, EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS A QIB; AND THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THE SELLER MAY RELY UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER THEREOF SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO AGREE THAT ANY RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE MADE ONLY (A) IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, EITHER (1) TO THE ISSUER [OR, IN RESPECT OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTORS]* OR TO A PLACEMENT AGENT DESIGNATED BY THE ISSUER AS A PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE NOTES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "PLACEMENT AGENTS"), NONE OF WHICH SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ACQUIRE SUCH NOTE, (2) THROUGH A PLACEMENT AGENT TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, OR A QIB, OR (3) TO A QIB IN A TRANSACTION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A AND (B) IN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF $250,000. * Insert in Legend for Guaranteed Notes. ** Insert in Legend for non-Guaranteed Notes. EXHIBIT B FURTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO INDEMNIFICATION (a) AXA agrees (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(a)) and AXA and AXA Financial, jointly and severally, agree (in the case of Claims arising under Section 5.1(b)), to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of external counsel) reasonably promptly after receipt of reasonably detailed invoices (excluding any confidential information) from the Dealer for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Dealer in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a party to any such proceedings). (b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, notify such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, in writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by it of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the failure to so notify the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will not relieve it from liability which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor of the existence thereof, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim include both the Indemnitee and either the Issuer or the Guarantor or both, and the Indemnitee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, the Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee. Upon receipt of notice from such Issuer or the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, to such Indemnitee of the election of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, to assume the defense of such Claim and approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that neither the Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor, shall be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Dealer, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnitee. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of such Issuer or, as the case may be, the Issuer and the Guarantor, hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Issuer, the Guarantor, as the case may be, and any Indemnitee. Each of such Issuer and, as the case may be, the Guarantor, agrees that without the Dealer's prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnitee. Neither such Issuer nor, as the case may be, the Guarantor will be liable for any Claim which may result from any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of a judgment of any Claim effected by the Dealer without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with the consent of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor, if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnitee from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. EXHIBIT C STATEMENT OF TERMS FOR INTEREST - BEARING COMMERCIAL PAPER NOTES OF AXA AND AXA FINANCIAL THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH BELOW ARE QUALIFIED TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE BY THE TRANSACTION SPECIFIC [PRICING] [PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM] SUPPLEMENT (THE "SUPPLEMENT") (IF ANY) SENT TO EACH PURCHASER AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSACTION. 1. General. (a) The obligations of the Issuer to which these terms apply (each a "Note") are represented by one or more Master Notes (each, a "Master Note") issued in the name of (or of a nominee for) The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), which Master Note includes the terms and provisions for the Issuer's Interest-Bearing Commercial Paper Notes that are set forth in this Statement of Terms, since this Statement of Terms constitutes an integral part of the Underlying Records as defined and referred to in the Master Note. (b) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, executive order or regulation to be closed in New York City and, with respect to LIBOR Notes (as defined below) is also a London Business Day. "London Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market. 2. Interest. (a) Each Note will bear interest at a fixed rate (a "Fixed Rate Note") or at a floating rate (a "Floating Rate Note"). (b) The Supplement sent to each holder of such Note will describe the following terms: (i) whether such Note is a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note and whether such Note is an Original Issue Discount Note (as defined below); (ii) the date on which such Note will be issued (the "Issue Date"); (iii) the Stated Maturity Date (as defined below); (iv) if such Note is a Fixed Rate Note, the rate per annum at which such Note will bear interest, if any, and the Interest Payment Dates; (v) if such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the Base Rate, the Index Maturity, the Interest Reset Dates, the Interest Payment Dates and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any (all as defined below), and any other terms relating to the particular method of calculating the interest rate for such Note; and (vi) any other terms applicable specifically to such Note. "Original Issue Discount Note" means a Note which has a stated redemption price at the Stated Maturity Date that exceeds its Issue Price by more than a specified de minimis amount and which the Supplement indicates will be an "Original Issue Discount Note". (c) Each Fixed Rate Note will bear interest from its Issue Date at the rate per annum specified in the Supplement until the principal amount thereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will be payable on the dates specified in the Supplement (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Fixed Rate Note) and on the Maturity Date (as defined below). Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest will be payable on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on that next succeeding Business Day. (d) The interest rate on each Floating Rate Note for each Interest Reset Period (as defined below) will be determined by reference to an interest rate basis (a "Base Rate") plus or minus a number of basis points (one basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point) (the "Spread"), if any, and/or multiplied by a certain percentage (the "Spread Multiplier"), if any, until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. The Supplement will designate which of the following Base Rates is applicable to the related Floating Rate Note: (a) the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Note"), (b) the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper Rate Note"), (c) the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate Note"), (d) LIBOR (a "LIBOR Note"), (e) the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Note"), (f) the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Note") or (g) such other Base Rate as may be specified in such Supplement. The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually (the "Interest Reset Period"). The date or dates on which interest will be reset (each an "Interest Reset Date") will be, unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset daily, each Business Day, in the case of Floating Rate Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes) that reset weekly, the Wednesday of each week; in the case of Treasury Rate Notes that reset weekly, the Tuesday of each week; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset monthly, the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. If any Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. Interest on each Floating Rate Note will be payable monthly, quarterly or semiannually (the "Interest Payment Period") and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the Supplement, and except as provided below, the date or dates on which interest will be payable (each an "Interest Payment Date" for a Floating Rate Note) will be, in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a monthly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a quarterly Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes with a semiannual Interest Payment Period, on the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the Supplement. In addition, the Maturity Date will also be an Interest Payment Date. If any Interest Payment Date for any Floating Rate Note (other than an Interest Payment Date occurring on the Maturity Date) would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of principal and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such maturity. Interest payments on each Interest Payment Date for Floating Rate Notes will include accrued interest from and including the Issue Date or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date. On the Maturity Date, the interest payable on a Floating Rate Note will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. Accrued interest will be calculated by multiplying the principal amount of a Floating Rate Note by an accrued interest factor. This accrued interest factor will be computed by adding the interest factors calculated for each day in the period for which accrued interest is being calculated. The interest factor (expressed as a decimal) for each such day will be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360, in the cases where the Base Rate is the CD Rate, Commercial Paper Rate, Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or Prime Rate, or by the actual number of days in the year, in the case where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate. The interest rate in effect on each day will be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) pertaining to such Interest Reset Date, or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the next preceding Interest Reset Date, subject in either case to any adjustment by a Spread and/or a Spread Multiplier. The "Interest Determination Date" where the Base Rate is the CD Rate or the Commercial Paper Rate will be the second Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate will be the Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is LIBOR will be the second London Business Day next preceding an Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date where the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate will be the day of the week in which such Interest Reset Date falls when Treasury Bills are normally auctioned. Treasury Bills are normally sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is held on the following Tuesday or the preceding Friday. If an auction is so held on the preceding Friday, such Friday will be the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next succeeding week. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation from which the applicable Base Rate is calculated. The "Calculation Date," where applicable, shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day following the applicable Interest Determination Date or (ii) the Business Day preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date. All times referred to herein reflect New York City time, unless otherwise specified. The Issuer shall specify in writing to the Issuing and Paying Agent which party will be the calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent") with respect to the Floating Rate Notes. The Calculation Agent will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate which will become effective on the next Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note to the Issuing and Paying Agent as soon as the interest rate with respect to such Floating Rate Note has been determined and as soon as practicable after any change in such interest rate. All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in the case of U.S. dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards). CD Rate Notes "CD Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for negotiable certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB") in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication of the FRB ("H.15(519)") under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the CD Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date set forth in the daily update of H.15(519), available through the world wide website of the FRB at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/Update, or any successor site or publication or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate ("H.15 Daily Update") under the caption "CDs (Secondary Market)". If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the CD Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks of the highest credit standing in the market for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity in the denomination of $5,000,000. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as set forth above, the CD Rate will remain the CD Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. Commercial Paper Rate Notes "Commercial Paper Rate" means the Money Market Yield (calculated as described below) of the rate on any Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity, as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Money Market Yield of the rate on such Interest Determination Date for commercial paper of the Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial". If by 3:00 p.m. on such Calculation Date such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Commercial Paper Rate to be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of U.S. dollar commercial paper in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper of the Index Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. If the dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Commercial Paper Rate with respect to such Interest Determination Date will remain the Commercial Paper Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Money Market Yield" will be a yield calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x 360 Money Market Yield = __________________ x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated. Federal Funds Rate Notes "Federal Funds Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date for federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" and displayed on Reuters (or any successor service) on page FEDFUNDS1 (or any other page as may replace the specified page on that service) ("Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1") under the heading "EFFECT". If the above rate does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Federal Funds/(Effective)". If such rate is not published as described above by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Federal Funds Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight U.S. dollar federal funds arranged by each of three leading brokers of Federal Funds transactions in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 a.m. on such Interest Determination Date. If the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the Federal Funds Rate will remain the Federal Funds Rate then in effect on such Interest Determination Date. LIBOR Notes The London Interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date, the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 a.m. London time, on such Interest Determination Date. If no rate appears, LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such Interest Determination Date at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in such market selected by the Calculation Agent for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in principal amount equal to an amount that in the Calculation Agent's judgment is representative for a single transaction in U.S. dollars in such market at such time (a "Representative Amount"). The Calculation Agent will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR for such interest period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in New York City, on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City, selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks, for a term equal to the Index Maturity and in a Representative Amount; provided, however, that if fewer than three banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are providing such quotations, the then existing LIBOR rate will remain in effect for such Interest Payment Period. "Designated LIBOR Page" means Reuters Screen LIBOR01 (or such other screen as may replace such page on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association for the purposes of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits). Prime Rate Notes "Prime Rate" means the rate on any Interest Determination Date as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan". If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update opposite the caption "Bank Prime Loan". If the rate is not published prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date in either H.15(519) or H.15 Daily Update, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate as of 11:00 a.m. on that Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates referred to above are so published by 3:00 p.m. on the Calculation Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as of the close of business on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent. If the banks selected are not quoting as mentioned above, the Prime Rate will remain the Prime Rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date. "Reuters Screen US PRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page "US PRIME1" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the US PRIME1 page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks). Treasury Rate Notes "Treasury Rate" means: (1) the rate from the auction held on the Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement under the caption "INVEST RATE" on the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on page USAUCTION10 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION10") or page USAUCTION11 (or any other page as may replace that page on that service) ("Reuters Page USAUCTION11"), or (2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield (as defined below) of the rate for the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction High", or (3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the auction rate of the applicable Treasury Bills as announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or (4) if the rate referred to in clause (3) is not so announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or if the Auction is not held, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15(519) under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (5) if the rate referred to in clause (4) not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or (6) if the rate referred to in clause (5) is not so published by 3:00 p.m. on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the Bond Equivalent Yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 p.m. on that Interest Determination Date, of three primary United States government securities dealers selected by the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the Supplement, or (7) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (6), the Treasury Rate in effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. "Bond Equivalent Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula: D x N Bond Equivalent Yield = ________________ x 100 360 - (D x M) where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for Treasury Bills quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, "N" refers to 365 or 366, as the case may be, and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Reset Period. 3. Final Maturity. The Stated Maturity Date for any Note will be the date so specified in the Supplement, which shall be no later than 397 days from the date of issuance. On its Stated Maturity Date, or any date prior to the Stated Maturity Date on which the particular Note becomes due and payable by the declaration of acceleration, each such date being referred to as a Maturity Date, the principal amount of each Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, will be immediately due and payable. 4. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" with respect to a Note: (i) default for 15 days in any payment of principal or interest on such Note (including on a redemption thereof); (ii) the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, applies for, or is subject to, the appointment of a mandataire ad hoc under French bankruptcy law or makes any proposal for a general moratorium in relation to its debt or enters into an amicable procedure (procedure de conciliation) with its creditors or a judgment is rendered for its judicial liquidation (liquidation judiciaire) or for a judicial transfer of the whole of the business (cession totale de l'entreprise) of the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, or to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, makes any conveyance, assignment or other arrangement for the benefit of its creditors generally or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is subject to any other insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or if the Issuer or, in the case of a Guaranteed Note, the Guarantor, is wound up or dissolved except in connection with a merger where the entity resulting from such merger assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes; Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the principal of each obligation evidenced by such Note (together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon) shall become, without any notice or demand, immediately due and payable. 5. Obligation Absolute. No provision of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement under which the Notes are issued shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on each Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. 6. Supplement. Any term contained in the Supplement shall supersede any conflicting term contained herein. EXHIBIT D FORM OF GUARANTEE GUARANTEE GUARANTEE, dated as of __________, ____, of AXA SA, a societe anonyme a directoire et conseil de surveillance organized under the laws of France (the "Guarantor"). The Guarantor, for value received, hereby agrees as follows for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Notes hereinafter described: 1. The Guarantor irrevocably guarantees payment in full, as and when the same becomes due and payable, of the principal of and interest, if any, on the promissory notes (the "Notes") issued by AXA Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Guarantor (the "Issuer"), from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of __________, ____, as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, between the Issuer , the Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the "Agreement"). 2. The Guarantor's obligations under this Guarantee shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of any provision of the Agreement or the Notes. 3. This Guarantee is a guaranty of the due and punctual payment (and not merely of collection) of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes by the Issuer and shall remain in full force and effect until all amounts have been validly, finally and irrevocably paid in full, and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance or condition whatsoever, including without limitation (a) the absence of any action to obtain such amounts from the Issuer, (b) any variation, extension, waiver, compromise or release of any or all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Agreement or the Notes or of any collateral security therefore or (c) any change in the existence or structure of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Issuer or by any other circumstance (other than by complete, irrevocable payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or surety. The Guarantor waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of any kind with respect to the Agreement and the Notes. 4. In the event of a default in payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, the holders of such Notes, may institute legal proceedings directly against the Guarantor to enforce this Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer. 5. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect or shall be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time any payment by the Issuer of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, in whole or in part, is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. 6. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 7. (a) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan and the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. (b) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers AXA Financial, Inc, with offices at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10104, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) which may be made on such designee, appointee and agent in accordance with legal procedures prescribed for such courts, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding in connection with or arising out of this Guarantee. If for any reason such designee, appointee and agent hereunder shall cease to be available to act as such, the Guarantor agrees to designate a new designee, appointee and agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7. The Guarantor further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the agent for service of process referred to in this Section 7 (whether or not the appointment of such agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in or designated pursuant to this Guarantee. The Guarantor agrees that the failure of any such designee, appointee and agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the holders of any Notes to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over the undersigned or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the undersigned in such other jurisdictions, and in such other manner, as may be permitted by applicable law. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee brought in the courts listed in Section 7(a) and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 8. Any payments under this Guarantee shall be in United States dollars and shall be made without withholding for or deduction of any taxes or duties imposed or levied by or on behalf of France or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax. If French law should require that payments under this Guarantee be subject to deduction or withholding in respect of any taxes or duties whatsoever, the Guarantor will, to the fullest extent then permitted by law, pay such additional amounts as shall result in receipt by the persons entitled to such payment of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that the Guarantor shall not be required to pay any such additional amount on account of any tax that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former 0 personal or business connection between the person entitled to such payment and France other than the mere receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of Notes. 9. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each holder from time to time of Notes against any loss incurred by such holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder or thereunder and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which such holder is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of Judgment Currency actually received by such holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Guarantor and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "rate of exchange" shall include any reasonable premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. AXA SA By: -------------------------------------- Exhibit E-1 FORM OF OPINION OF U.S. COUNSEL TO THE ISSUERS AND, IN THE CASE OF GUARANTEED NOTES, THE GUARANTOR EXHIBIT E-2 FORM OF OPINION OF FRENCH COUNSEL TO AXA EXHIBIT E-3 FORM OF OPINION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA EXHIBIT E-4 FORM OF OPINION OF THE DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL OF AXA FINANCIAL EX-31.1 6 e10941_ex31-1.txt Exhibit 31.1 AXA FINANCIAL, INC. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Christopher M. Condron, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Financial, Inc., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AXA Financial, Inc. (the "Registrant"); 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the Registrant and we have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: August 11, 2009 /s/ Christopher M. Condron ------------------------------------- Christopher M. Condron President and Chief Executive Officer EX-31.2 7 e10941_ex31-2.txt Exhibit 31.2 AXA FINANCIAL, INC. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Richard S. Dziadzio, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AXA Financial, Inc., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AXA Financial, Inc. (the "Registrant"); 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the Registrant and we have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: August 11, 2009 /s/ Richard S. Dziadzio ------------------------------ Richard S. Dziadzio Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer EX-32.1 8 e10941_ex32-1.txt Exhibit 32.1 AXA FINANCIAL, INC. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AXA Financial, Inc. (the "Company") for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Christopher M. Condron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Christopher M. Condron ------------------------------------- Christopher M. Condron President and Chief Executive Officer Date: August 11, 2009 EX-32.2 9 e10941_ex32-2.txt Exhibit 32.2 AXA FINANCIAL, INC. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AXA Financial, Inc. (the "Company") for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Richard S. Dziadzio, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Richard S. Dziadzio ------------------------------ Richard S. Dziadzio Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: August 11, 2009
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