FORM S-3ASR
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under the Securities Act of 1933
Eaton Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
34-0196300
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Eaton Center, 1111 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2584, (216) 523-5000
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
THOMAS
E. MORAN, Senior Vice President and Secretary
Eaton Corporation, Eaton Center, 1111 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2584, (216) 523-4103
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Lisa L. Jacobs
Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous
basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in
connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following
box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
If this Form is a registration
statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that
shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities
Act, check the following box. þ
If this Form is a post effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General
Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities
pursuant to Rule 413 (b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. 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 the definitions of large accelerated
filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
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Large accelerated filer þ |
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Accelerated filer o |
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Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Smaller reporting company o |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Amount |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of Each Class of |
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to be |
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Offering |
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Aggregate Offering |
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Registration |
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Securities to be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Price Per Unit(1) |
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Price(1) |
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Fee(1) |
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Debt Securities |
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Preferred Shares |
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Common Shares, par value
$0.50 per share |
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Warrants |
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Units(2) |
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(1) |
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An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of each identified
class is being registered as may from time to time be at indeterminate prices. Separate
consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise,
conversation or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. In accordance with
Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
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Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement or indenture and will represent an interest
in one or more debt securities, preferred shares, common shares and warrants as well as debt
or equity securities of third parties, in any combination, which may or may not be separable
from one another. |
Eaton Corporation
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Warrants
Units
We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, senior or subordinated
debt securities, preferred shares, common shares and warrants, as well as units that include any of
these securities or securities of other entities. The debt securities, preferred shares and
warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred shares or
other securities of the Company or debt or equity securities of one or more other entities. We may
offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or
directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
The specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in a prospectus
supplement or term sheet. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus
supplement or term sheet carefully before you invest in our securities.
The common shares of the Company are listed on the NYSE and the Chicago Stock Exchange and
trade under the ticker symbol ETN.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 27, 2009.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. You should
rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement or other offering materials. We have not authorized anyone else to provide
you with different information. We are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus,
any prospectus supplement, other offering materials or any document incorporated by reference is
accurate as of any date other than the date of the document in which such information is contained
or such other date referred to in such document, regardless of the time of any sale or issuance of
a security.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) using a shelf registration process. This prospectus contains a
general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell or issue securities, we will
provide a prospectus supplement or term sheet that will contain specific information about the
terms of that offering and the manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement or
term sheet may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If so, the
prospectus supplement or term sheet should be read as superseding this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or term sheet, together with additional
information described under the heading Where You Can Find More Information, before making an
investment decision. As used in this prospectus, the terms we, us and our refer to Eaton
Corporation.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference room at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
on its public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SECs web
site at http://www.sec.gov. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the
Chicago Stock Exchange and information about us also is available there.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC
allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file with it. This
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents
separately filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part
of this prospectus, unless and until that information is updated and superseded by the information
contained in this prospectus or any information incorporated later. We incorporate by reference
the document listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), until our
offering of securities has been completed.
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. |
Our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on
our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
Our internet website is located at http://www.eaton.com. The contents of the website are not
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may also obtain a copy of these filings, at no
cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
Eaton Corporation
Eaton Center
1111 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2584
Attn: Shareholder Relations
(216) 523-5000
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THE COMPANY
We are a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. We are a
global technology leader in: electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and
control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace
fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive
drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. We have approximately
75,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.
Our operations are categorized into the following five business segments: Electrical,
Hydraulics, Aerospace, Truck and Automotive. Prior to January 1, 2008, we reported our businesses
in four segments, with the current Hydraulics and Aerospace segments being part of one segment
called Fluid Power.
Electrical
The Electrical segment is a global leader in electrical control, power distribution,
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and industrial automation products and services.
Products include circuit breakers, switchgear, UPS systems, power distribution units, panelboards,
loadcenters, motor controls, meters, sensors and relays. The principal markets for the Electrical
segment are industrial, institutional, government, utility, commercial, residential, IT, mission
critical and original equipment manufacturer customers. These products are used wherever there is a
demand for electrical power in commercial buildings, data centers, residences, apartment and office
buildings, hospitals and factories. These customers are generally concentrated in North America,
Europe and Asia/Pacific; however, sales are made globally. Sales in the Electrical segment are made
directly and indirectly through distributors, resellers, and manufacturers representatives to these
customers.
Hydraulics
The Hydraulics segment is a worldwide leader in reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic components
and systems for use in mobile and industrial markets. We offer a wide range of power products
including pumps, motors, hydraulic power units; a broad range of controls and sensing products,
including valves, cylinders and electronic controls; a full range of fluid conveyance products,
including industrial and hydraulic hose, fittings, and assemblies, thermoplastic hose and tubing,
couplings, connectors, and assembly equipment; filtration systems solutions; heavy-duty drum and
disc brakes; and golf grips. The principal market segments for Hydraulics include oil and gas,
renewable energy, marine, agriculture, construction, mining , forestry, utility, material handling,
truck and bus, machine tool, molding, primary metals, power generation, and entertainment. Key
manufacturers in these markets and other customers are located globally, and these products are
sold and serviced through a variety of channels.
Aerospace
The Aerospace segment is a leading global supplier to the commercial and military aviation and
aerospace industries. Products include hydraulic power generation systems for aerospace
applications, including, pumps, motors, hydraulic power units, hose and fittings, electro-hydraulic
pumps and power and load management systems; controls and sensing products, including valves,
cylinders, electronic controls, electromechanical actuators, sensors, displays and panels, aircraft
flap and slat systems and nose wheel steering systems; fluid conveyance products, including hose,
thermoplastic tubing, fittings, adapters, couplings, sealing and ducting; and fuel systems,
including fuel pumps, sensors, valves, adapters and regulators. The principal markets for the
Aerospace segment are manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft and related after-market
customers. These manufacturers and other customers operate globally, and these products are sold
and serviced through a variety of channels.
Truck
The Truck segment is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a complete line of
powertrain systems and components for commercial vehicles. Products include transmissions, clutches
and hybrid electric power systems. The principal markets for the Truck segment are original
equipment manufacturers and after-market
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customers of heavy-, medium- and light-duty trucks and passenger cars. These manufacturers and
other customers are located globally, and most sales of these products are made directly to these
customers.
Automotive
The Automotive segment is a leading supplier of critical components that reduce emissions and
fuel consumption and improve stability and performance of cars, light trucks and commercial
vehicles. Products include superchargers, engine valves and valve actuation systems, cylinder
heads, locking and limited slip differentials, transmission controls, engine controls, fuel vapor
components, compressor control clutches for mobile refrigeration, fluid connectors and hoses for
air conditioning and power steering, decorative spoilers, underhood plastic components, fluid
conveyance products including, hose, thermoplastic tubing, fittings, adapters, couplings and
sealing products to the global automotive industry. The principal markets for the Automotive
segment are original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers of light-duty trucks and
passenger cars. These manufacturers and other customers are located globally, and most sales of
these products are made directly to these customers.
Our principal executive office is located at Eaton Center, 1111 Superior Avenue, Cleveland,
Ohio 44114-2584, and our telephone number is (216) 523-5000.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may be described otherwise in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, we will use the
net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes,
which may include additions to working capital, acquisitions, or the retirement of existing
indebtedness via repayment, redemption or exchange.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table shows our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five years in
the period ended December 31, 2008.
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For the Years |
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Ended December 31, |
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2008 |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
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5.26 |
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5.16 |
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6.02 |
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7.04 |
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6.78 |
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For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of
consolidated pretax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in
consolidated subsidiaries and income (loss) of equity investees, plus (1) amortization of
capitalized interest, (2) distributed income of equity investees and (3) fixed charges described
below, excluding interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of (1) interest expensed, (2)
capitalized interest, (3) amortization of debt issue costs and (4) that portion of rent expense
estimated to represent interest. Because we have not had any preferred shares outstanding during
the last five years and have, therefore, not paid any dividends on preferred shares, our ratio of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends has been the same as the ratio of
earnings to fixed charges for each of the above periods.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series. This section
summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the
financial terms and other specific material terms of any series of debt securities that we offer
will be described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet. Furthermore, since the terms of
specific debt securities may differ from the general information we have provided below, you should
rely on information in the prospectus supplement or term sheet that is inconsistent with the
information below. As used in this section, we, us, our and our company refer to Eaton
Corporation and not to its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
The debt securities are governed by a document called an indenture. An indenture is a
contract between us and a financial institution acting as Trustee on your behalf. The Trustee has
two main roles. First, the Trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some
limitations on the extent to which the Trustee acts on your behalf. Second, the Trustee performs
certain administrative duties for us.
Senior securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1994, as supplemented
from time to time (the Senior Indenture), which we entered into with Chemical Bank, as trustee
(the Senior Trustee), and subordinated securities will be issued under a separate indenture (the
Subordinated Indenture), which we will enter into with a trustee (the Subordinated Trustee) if
we decide to issue any subordinated securities. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as
successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Chemical Bank), is acting as Senior
Trustee. The term Trustee refers to either the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as
appropriate. We will refer to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, as executed,
together as the Indentures and each, as an Indenture. The Indentures are subject to and
governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act).
The Indentures and associated documents contain the full legal text of the matters described
in this section. The Senior Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement to
which this prospectus is a part. The Subordinated Indenture will be filed as an exhibit to a
post-effective amendment to the registration statement at a later time if we decide to issue any
subordinated securities.
Because this section is a summary of the material terms of the Indentures, it does not
describe every aspect of the debt securities. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the
provisions of the Indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the Indentures. For
example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined
in the Indentures. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you
will need to read the Indentures. We also include references in parentheses to certain sections of
the Indentures or the Trust Indenture Act. Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined
terms of the Indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus or in the prospectus supplement or term sheet. Unless otherwise noted, the section
numbers refer to the applicable section for both Indentures.
Provisions Applicable to Both the Senior and Subordinated Indentures
General
The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. The senior securities will rank
equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated
securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our Senior
Indebtedness as described below under Subordinated Indenture ProvisionsSubordination.
Under the Indentures, we may issue any debt securities offered under this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus supplement or term sheet (offered debt securities) and any debt
securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other
offered securities (underlying debt securities), as well as other unsecured debt securities.
With respect to the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, you should
read the prospectus supplement or term sheet for the following terms and other material terms,
which will be established by authority of our Board of Directors or pursuant to an officers
certificate or a supplement to an Indenture before the issuance of the debt securities:
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the title of the debt securities and whether they will be senior securities or
subordinated securities, including whether securities are convertible securities; |
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the total principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the total
principal amount of debt securities of each series; |
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the date or dates when the principal of the debt securities will be payable or how
those dates will be determined or extended; |
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the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities
will bear, if any, or how such rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from
which any interest will accrue, if any, or how such date or dates will be determined,
the interest payment dates, the record dates for such payments, if any, or how such
date or dates will be determined and the basis upon which interest will be calculated,
if other than that of a 360-day year or twelve 30-day months; |
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whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any), or interest on,
the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other
method (which could be based on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or
other indices) and how such amounts will be determined; |
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any optional redemption provisions; |
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any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or
otherwise redeem the debt securities; |
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if other than U.S. dollars, the Currency or Currencies of the debt securities; |
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if other than denominations of $1,000 in the case of Registered Securities, the
denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued; |
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if not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal
amount at which the debt securities will be issued and, if not the principal amount of
the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of
the maturity of the debt securities or how that portion will be determined; |
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the form of the debt securities, if other than a registered global note, including
whether the debt securities are to be issuable in permanent or temporary global form,
as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, any restrictions on the offer,
sale or delivery of Bearer Securities, and the terms, if any, upon which you may
exchange Bearer Securities for Registered Securities and vice versa (if permitted by
applicable laws and regulations); |
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any modifications or additions to the provisions of Article Fourteen of the
applicable Indenture described below under Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance if that
Article is applicable to the debt securities; |
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any changes or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants with respect to
the debt securities; |
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the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of
payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities, and where notices
or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities may be served; |
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whether we or a holder may elect payment of the principal or interest in one or more
Currencies other than that in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, and
the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, that
election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between
the Currency or Currencies in which they are stated to be payable and the Currency or
Currencies in which they are to be so payable; |
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if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying
Agent; |
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the designation of the Exchange Rate Agent, if applicable; |
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the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series will be
payable, if other than the registered holder at the close of business on the record
date, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security
of the series will be payable, if not upon presentation and |
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surrender of the coupons relating to the Bearer Security as they mature, and the extent
to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on
an Interest Payment Date will be paid if not in the manner provided in the applicable
Indenture; |
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whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts as contemplated
by Section 1005 of the applicable Indenture (Additional Amounts) in respect of any
tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to
redeem the debt securities rather than pay the Additional Amounts (and the terms of any
such option); |
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any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon
the occurrence of specified events; |
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in the case of subordinated securities, any terms modifying the subordination
provisions; |
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in the case of convertible securities, any terms by which they may be convertible
into common shares; |
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if we issue the debt securities in definitive form, the terms and conditions under
which definitive securities will be issued; |
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if we issue the debt securities upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and
place for them to be authenticated and delivered; |
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the manner for paying principal and interest and the manner for transferring the
debt securities; and |
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any other terms of the debt securities that are consistent with the requirements of
the Trust Indenture Act. |
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of (or premium, if
any), or interest on, or interest on debt securities will include Additional Amounts if required by
the terms of the debt securities.
The Indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we are authorized to issue from
time to time. (Section 301) When a single Trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under an
Indenture, those Securities are called the Indenture Securities. Each Indenture also provides
that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder, each for a series of Indenture Securities. See
Resignation of Trustee of this prospectus. At a time when two or more Trustees are acting under
either Indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term Indenture Securities means
the series of debt securities for which each respective Trustee is acting. If there is more than
one Trustee under either Indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each Trustee will apply
only to the Indenture Securities for which it is Trustee. If two or more Trustees are acting under
either Indenture, then the Indenture Securities for which each Trustee is acting would be treated
as if issued under separate indentures.
The Indentures do not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a
large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.
We may issue Indenture Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities
already issued. Without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a
series of Indenture Securities and issue additional Indenture Securities of that series unless the
reopening was restricted when that series was created.
There is no requirement that we issue debt securities in the future under the Indentures, and
we may use other indentures or documentation containing different provisions in connection with
future issues of such other debt securities.
We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, which are debt
securities, including any zero-coupon debt securities, that are issued and sold at a discount from
their stated principal amount. Original issue discount securities provide that, upon acceleration
of their maturity, an amount less than their principal amount will become due and payable. We will
describe United States federal income tax consequences and other considerations applicable to
original issue discount securities in any prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to them.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the debt
securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made
in U.S. dollars. If any series of debt securities is sold for, payable in or denominated in one or
more foreign Currencies, we will specify applicable restrictions, elections, tax consequences,
specific terms and other information in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. For
further information regarding foreign currency debt securities, see Foreign Currency
RiskFluctuations and Controls below.
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Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available
funds.
As used in this prospectus, Business Day means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by
law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York; provided, however, that, with
respect to foreign currency debt securities, the day is also not a day on which commercial banks
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal
Financial Center (as defined below) of the country issuing the specified currency (or, if the
specified currency is the euro, the day is also a day on which the Trans-European Automated
Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System is open); and provided further that,
with respect to debt securities as to which LIBOR is an applicable interest rate basis, the day is
also a London Business Day.
London Business Day means a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including
dealings in the designated LIBOR Currency) in London.
Principal Financial Center means (i) the capital city of the country issuing the specified
currency or (ii) the capital city of the country to which the designated LIBOR Currency relates, as
applicable, except that the term Principal Financial Center means the following cities in the
case of the following currencies:
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Principal Financial Center |
U.S. dollars
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The City of New York |
Australian dollars
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Sydney |
Canadian dollars
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Toronto |
New Zealand dollars
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Auckland |
South African rand
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Johannesburg |
Swiss francs
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Zurich |
and in the event the LIBOR Currency is euro, the Principal Financial Center is London.
LIBOR Currency means the currency specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term
sheet as to which LIBOR shall be calculated or, if no such currency is specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement or term sheet, U.S. dollars.
The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be integral
multiples of $1,000. The authorized denominations of foreign currency debt securities will be set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Optional Redemption, Repayment and Repurchase
The prospectus supplement or term sheet for a debt security will indicate whether we will have
the option to redeem the debt security before the stated maturity and the price and date or dates
on which redemption may occur. If we are allowed to redeem a debt security, we may exercise the
option by notifying the Trustee and the paying agent at least 45 days prior to the redemption date.
In the case we elect to redeem less than all of a series of debt securities, we may exercise the
option by notifying the Trustee and the paying agent at least 60 days prior to the redemption date.
At least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, the Trustee will mail notice or
cause the paying agent to mail notice of redemption to the holders. If a debt security is only
redeemed in part, we will issue a new debt security or debt securities for the unredeemed portion.
The prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to a debt security will also indicate whether
you will have the option to elect repayment by us prior to the stated maturity and the price and
the date or dates on which repayment may occur.
For a debt security to be repaid at your election, the paying agent must receive, at least 30
but not more than 45 days prior to an optional repayment date, if, in certificated form, such debt
security with the form entitled Option to Elect Repayment on the reverse of the debt security
duly completed. You may also send the paying agent a facsimile or letter from a member of a
national securities exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or a
commercial bank or trust company in the United States describing the particulars of the repayment,
including a guarantee that the debt security and the form entitled Option to Elect Repayment will
be received by the paying agent no later than five Business Days after such facsimile or letter.
If you present a debt security for repayment, such act will be irrevocable. You may exercise the
repayment option for less than the entire principal of
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the debt security, provided the remaining principal outstanding is an authorized denomination.
If you elect partial repayment, your debt security will be cancelled, and we will issue a new debt
security or debt securities for the remaining amount.
The Depository Trust Company or its nominee will be the holder of each Global Security and
will be the only party that can exercise a right of repayment. If you are a beneficial owner of a
Global Security and you want to exercise your right of repayment, you must instruct your broker or
indirect participant through which you hold your interest to notify The Depository Trust Company.
You should consult your broker or such indirect participant to discuss the appropriate cut-off
times and any other requirements for giving this instruction. The giving of any such instruction
will be irrevocable.
Regardless of anything in this prospectus, if a debt security is an OID Note (as defined
below) (other than an Indexed Note), the amount payable in the event of redemption or repayment
prior to its stated maturity will be the amortized face amount on the redemption or repayment date,
as the case may be. The amortized face amount of an OID Note will be equal to (i) the issue price
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet plus (ii) that portion of the
difference between the issue price and the principal amount of the debt security that has accrued
at the yield to maturity described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet (computed in
accordance with generally accepted U.S. bond yield computation principles) by the redemption or
repayment date. However, in no case will the amortized face amount of an OID Note exceed its
principal amount.
Regardless of anything in this prospectus, if a debt security is an OID Note (as defined
below) (other than an Indexed Note), the amount payable in the event of acceleration shall be the
portion of principal amount specified in the terms of that series of notes to be due and payable
immediately.
We may at any time purchase debt securities at any price in the open market or otherwise. We
may hold, resell or surrender for cancellation any debt securities that we purchase.
Conversion and Exchange
If you may convert or exchange debt securities for other Securities, the prospectus supplement
or term sheet will explain the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including:
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the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method); |
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the conversion or exchange period (or how such period will be determined); |
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if conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at your option or at our option; |
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provisions for adjustment of the conversion price or the exchange ratio; and |
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provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the
debt securities. |
The terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other Securities to
be received by the holders of such debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated
according to the market price of such other Securities as of a time stated in the prospectus
supplement or term sheet.
Interest and Interest Rates
General
Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date it is originally issued. The
related prospectus supplement or term sheet will specify each debt security as a Fixed Rate Note, a
Floating Rate Note, an Amortizing Note or an Indexed Note and describe the method of determining
the interest rate, including any spread and/or spread multiplier. For an Indexed Note, the related
prospectus supplement or term sheet also will describe the method for the calculation and payment
of principal and interest. The prospectus supplement or term sheet for a Floating Rate Note or
Indexed Note may also specify a maximum and a minimum interest rate.
A debt security may be issued as a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note or as a debt
security that combines fixed and floating rate terms.
Interest rates offered with respect to debt securities may differ depending upon, among other
things, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities purchased in any single transaction. Debt
securities with similar variable terms but different interest rates, as well as debt securities
with different variable terms, may be offered
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concurrently to different investors. Interest rates or formulas and other terms of debt
securities are subject to change from time to time, but no such change will affect any debt
security already issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted.
Interest on the debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be paid by check mailed on an
Interest Payment Date other than a Maturity Date (as defined below) to the persons entitled thereto
to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register or, at our option, by wire
transfer to a bank account maintained by the holder. The principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, together with interest accrued and unpaid
thereon, due on the Maturity Date will be paid in immediately available funds upon surrender of
such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York, or, at
our option, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at
least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by the applicable registered holder, provided the
particular bank has appropriate facilities to receive these payments and the particular debt
security is presented and surrendered at the office or agency maintained by us for this purpose in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in time for the Trustee to make these payments in
accordance with its normal procedures.
Fixed Rate Notes
The prospectus supplement or term sheet for debt securities with a fixed interest rate (Fixed
Rate Notes) will describe a fixed interest rate payable semiannually in arrears on dates specified
in such prospectus supplement or term sheet (each, with respect to Fixed Rate Notes, an Interest
Payment Date). Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, interest on
Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If the
stated maturity date, any redemption date or any repayment date (together referred to as the
Maturity Date) or an Interest Payment Date for any Fixed Rate Note is not a Business Day,
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on that debt security will be paid on the next Business
Day, and no interest will accrue from and after the Maturity Date or Interest Payment Date.
Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be paid to holders of record as of each Regular Record Date as
determined in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Each interest payment on a Fixed Rate Note will include interest accrued from, and including,
the issue date or the last Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date, as the case may be.
Original Issue Discount Notes
We may issue original issue discount debt securities (including zero coupon debt securities)
(OID Notes), which are debt securities issued at a discount from the principal amount payable on
the Maturity Date. There may not be any periodic interest payments on OID Notes. For OID Notes,
interest normally accrues during the life of the debt security and is paid on the Maturity Date.
Upon a redemption, repayment or acceleration of the maturity of an OID Note, the amount payable
will be determined as set forth under Optional Redemption, Repayment and Repurchase. This
amount normally is less than the amount payable on the stated maturity date.
Amortizing Notes
We may issue amortizing debt securities, which are Fixed Rate Notes for which combined
principal and interest payments are made in installments over the life of each debt security
(Amortizing Notes). Payments on Amortizing Notes are applied first to interest due and then to
the reduction of the unpaid principal amount. The related prospectus supplement or term sheet for
an Amortizing Note will include a table setting forth repayment information.
Floating Rate Notes
Each debt security with a floating interest rate (a Floating Rate Note) will have an
interest rate basis or formula. That basis or formula may be based on:
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the CD Rate; |
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the Commercial Paper Rate; |
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LIBOR; |
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the Federal Funds Rate; |
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the Prime Rate; |
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the Treasury Rate; |
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the CMT Rate; |
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the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate; or |
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another negotiated interest rate basis or formula. |
The prospectus supplement or term sheet will also indicate any spread and/or spread
multiplier, which would be applied to the interest rate formula to determine the interest rate.
Any Floating Rate Note may have a maximum or minimum interest rate limitation. In addition to any
maximum interest rate limitation, the interest rate on the Floating Rate Notes will in no event be
higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by United
States law for general application.
We will appoint a calculation agent to calculate interest rates on the Floating Rate Notes.
Unless we identify a different party in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, the paying agent
will be the calculation agent for each debt security.
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, the Calculation Date,
if applicable, relating to an Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth
calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day, or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be.
Upon the request of the beneficial holder of any Floating Rate Note, the calculation agent
will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if different, when available, the interest rate
that will become effective on the next Interest Reset Date for the Floating Rate Note.
Change of Interest Rate. The interest rate on each Floating Rate Note may be reset daily,
weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually or on some other specified basis (each, an
Interest Reset Date). Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, the
Interest Reset Date will be:
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for debt securities with interest that resets daily, each Business Day; |
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for debt securities (other than Treasury Rate Notes) with interest that resets
weekly, Wednesday of each week; |
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for Treasury Rate Notes with interest that resets weekly, Tuesday of each week; |
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for debt securities with interest that resets monthly, the third Wednesday of each
month; |
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for debt securities with interest that resets quarterly, the third Wednesday of
March, June, September and December of each year; |
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for debt securities with interest that resets semiannually, the third Wednesday of
each of the two months of each year indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement
or term sheet; and |
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for debt securities with interest that resets annually, the third Wednesday of the
month of each year indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. |
The related prospectus supplement or term sheet will describe the initial interest rate or
interest rate formula on each debt security. That rate is effective until the following Interest
Reset Date. Thereafter, the interest rate will be the rate determined on each Interest
Determination Date. Each time a new interest rate is determined, it becomes effective on the
following Interest Reset Date. If any Interest Reset Date is not a Business Day, then the Interest
Reset Date is postponed to the next Business Day, except, in the case of a LIBOR Note, if the next
Business Day is in the next calendar month, the Interest Reset Date is the immediately preceding
Business Day.
Date Interest Rate Is Determined. The Interest Determination Date for all CD and CMT Rate
Notes is the second Business Day before the Interest Reset Date and for all LIBOR Notes will be the
second London Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date (unless the
LIBOR Currency is Sterling, in which case the Interest Determination Date will be the Interest
Reset Date).
The Interest Determination Date for Treasury Rate Notes will be the day of the week in which
the Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills of the Index Maturity are normally auctioned.
Treasury bills are usually sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which case the auction is usually held on Tuesday. Sometimes, the auction is held on
the preceding Friday. If an auction is held on the preceding Friday, that day will be the Interest
Determination Date relating to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next week.
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The Interest Determination Date for all Commercial Paper, Federal Funds and Prime Rate Notes
will be the first Business Day preceding the Interest Reset Date.
The Interest Determination Date for an Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Note is the last
Business Day of the month immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date in which the
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco published the applicable rate.
The Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note with an interest rate that is
determined by reference to two or more interest rate bases will be the most recent Business Day
which is at least two Business Days before the applicable Interest Reset Date for each interest
rate for the applicable Floating Rate Note on which each interest rate basis is determinable.
Payment of Interest. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement or term sheet,
interest is paid as follows:
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for debt securities with interest that resets daily, weekly or monthly, on the third
Wednesday of each month; |
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for debt securities with interest payable quarterly, on the third Wednesday of
March, June, September, and December of each year; |
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for debt securities with interest payable semiannually, on the third Wednesday of
each of the two months specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet; |
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for debt securities with interest payable annually, on the third Wednesday of the
month specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet (each of the
above, with respect to Floating Rate Notes, an Interest Payment Date); and |
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at maturity, redemption or repayment. |
Each interest payment on a Floating Rate Note will include interest accrued from, and
including, the issue date or the last Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the
Maturity Date, as the case may be.
Interest on a Floating Rate Note will be payable beginning on the first Interest Payment Date
after its issue date to holders of record at the close of business on each Regular Record Date, as
determined in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet (whether or not a Business Day)
next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date, unless the issue date falls after a Regular
Record Date and on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, in which case payment will be
made to holders of record at the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding the
second Interest Payment Date following the issue date. If an Interest Payment Date (but not the
Maturity Date) is not a Business Day then the Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the next
Business Day. However, in the case of LIBOR Notes, if the next Business Day is in the next
calendar month, the Interest Payment Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the
Maturity Date of any Floating Rate Note is not a Business Day, principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on that debt security will be paid on the next Business Day, and no interest will accrue
from and after the Maturity Date.
Accrued interest on a Floating Rate Note is calculated by multiplying the principal amount of
a debt security by an accrued interest factor. The accrued interest factor is the sum of the
interest factors calculated for each day in the period for which accrued interest is being
calculated. The interest factor for each day is computed by dividing the interest rate in effect on
that day by (1) the actual number of days in the year, in the case of Treasury Rate Notes or CMT
Rate Notes, or (2) 360, in the case of other Floating Rate Notes. The interest factor for Floating
Rate Notes for which the interest rate is calculated with reference to two or more interest rate
bases will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only one of the applicable
interest rate bases applied. All percentages resulting from any calculation are rounded to the
nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage
point rounded upward. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) will be rounded to 9.87655% (or
..0987655). Dollar amounts used in the calculation are rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half
cent being rounded upward).
CD Rate Notes. The CD Rate for any Interest Determination Date is the rate on that date for
negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity described in the related
prospectus supplement or term sheet, as published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the Calculation Date, for that Interest
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Determination Date under the heading CDs (secondary market). The Index Maturity is the period
to maturity of the instrument or obligation with respect to which the related interest rate basis
or formula will be calculated.
The following procedures will be followed if the CD Rate cannot be determined as described
above:
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If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the Calculation Date, the CD Rate will be the rate on that Interest Determination Date
for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of the Index Maturity
described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet as published in H.15 Daily Update,
or such other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying such
rate, under the caption CDs (secondary market). |
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If that rate is not published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another recognized
electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date, then the
calculation agent will determine the CD Rate to be the average of the secondary market
offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on that Interest Determination
Date, quoted by three leading nonbank dealers of negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of
deposit in New York City (which may include an agent or its affiliates) for negotiable
U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money-center banks with a
remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity in an amount that is representative
for a single transaction in the market at that time described in the prospectus
supplement or term sheet. The calculation agent, after consultation with us, will
select the three dealers referred to above. |
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If fewer than three dealers are quoting as mentioned above, the CD Rate will remain
the CD Rate for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or, if there was no
interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest rate. |
H.15(519) means the weekly statistical release designated as such, or any successor
publication, published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
H.15 Daily Update means the daily update of H.15(519), available through the web site of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/update, or any successor site or publication.
Commercial Paper Rate Notes. The Commercial Paper Rate for any Interest Determination Date
is the Money Market Yield of the rate on that date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
described in the related prospectus supplement or term sheet, as published in H.15(519) prior to
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date for that Interest Determination Date under
the heading Commercial Paper Nonfinancial.
The following procedures will be followed if the Commercial Paper Rate cannot be determined as
described above:
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If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the Calculation Date, the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Money Market Yield of the
rate on that Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, as published in H.15 Daily
Update, or such other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying
such rate, under the caption Commercial Paper Nonfinancial. |
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If that rate is not published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another recognized
electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date, then the
calculation agent will determine the Commercial Paper Rate to be the Money Market Yield
of the average of the offered rates of three leading dealers of U.S. dollar commercial
paper in New York City (which may include an agent or its affiliates) as of 11:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on that Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having the
Index Maturity described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet placed for an
industrial issuer whose bond rating is Aa, or the equivalent, from a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization. The calculation agent, after consultation
with us, will select the three dealers referred to above. |
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If fewer than three dealers selected by the calculation agent are quoting as
mentioned above, the Commercial Paper Rate will remain the Commercial Paper Rate for
the immediately preceding interest reset period, or, if there was no interest reset
period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest rate. |
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Money Market Yield means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with
the following formula:
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D ´ 360
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Money Market Yield
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=
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360 (D ´ M)
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´
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100 |
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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 reset period
for which interest is being calculated.
LIBOR Notes. On each Interest Determination Date, the calculation agent will determine LIBOR
as follows:
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LIBOR will be the average of the offered rates calculated by the calculation agent,
or the offered rate, if the Designated LIBOR Page by its terms provides only for a
single rate, for deposits in the LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity described in
the related prospectus supplement or term sheet commencing on the applicable Interest
Reset Date, as such rates appear on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London
time, on that Interest Determination Date, if at least two such offered rates appear on
the Designated LIBOR Page. |
On any Interest Determination Date on which fewer than two offered rates appear or no rate
appears on the applicable Designated LIBOR Page, the calculation agent will determine LIBOR as
follows:
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LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the offered rates at which deposits in the
LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity described in the related prospectus supplement
or term sheet on the Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount that is
representative of a single transaction in that market at that time are offered by four
major reference banks (which may include affiliates of the agent) in the London
interbank market commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date to prime banks in the
London interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on that Interest
Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single
transaction in the LIBOR Currency in that market at that time. The calculation agent,
after consultation with us, will select the four banks and request the principal London
office of each of those banks to provide a quotation of its rate for deposits in the
LIBOR Currency. If at least two quotations are provided, LIBOR for that Interest
Determination Date will be the average of those quotations. |
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If fewer than two quotations are provided as mentioned above, LIBOR will be the rate
calculated by the calculation agent as the average of the rates quoted by three major
banks, which may include affiliates of the agent, in the Principal Financial Center at
approximately 11:00 A.M., in the Principal Financial Center, on that Interest
Determination Date for loans to leading European banks in the LIBOR Currency having the
Index Maturity designated in the prospectus supplement or term sheet and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the LIBOR Currency in that
market at that time. The calculation agent, after consultation with us, will select the
three banks referred to above. |
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If fewer than three banks selected by the calculation agent are quoting as mentioned
above, LIBOR will remain LIBOR for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or,
if there was no interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial
interest rate. |
Designated LIBOR Page means the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on page
LIBOR01 (or any other page as may replace such page on such service) for the purpose of displaying
the London interbank rates of major banks for the LIBOR Currency.
Federal Funds Rate Notes. The Federal Funds Rate for any Interest Determination Date is the
rate as of that date for U.S. dollar federal funds, as published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the Calculation Date for that Interest Determination Date under the heading
Federal Funds (Effective), as such rate is displayed on Reuters (or any successor service) on
page FEDFUNDS1 (or any other page as may replace such page on such service) (Reuters Page
FEDFUNDS1).
The following procedures will be followed if the Federal Funds Rate cannot be determined as
described above:
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If the above rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate as of that Interest
Determination Date for U.S. dollar |
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Federal Funds, as published in H.15 Daily Update, or such other recognized electronic
source used for the purpose of displaying such rate, under the caption Federal Funds
(Effective). |
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If that rate does not appear on Telerate Page 120 or is not yet published in
H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another recognized electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Calculation Date, then the calculation agent will determine the
Federal Funds Rate to be the average of the rates for the last transaction in overnight
U.S. dollar Federal Funds arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar
federal funds transactions in New York City as of 9:00 A.M., New York City time, which
may include the agent or its affiliates, on the Business Day following that Interest
Determination Date. The calculation agent, after consultation with us, will select the
three brokers referred to above. |
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If fewer than three brokers selected by the calculation agent are quoting as
mentioned above, the Federal Funds Rate will be the Federal Funds Rate for the
immediately preceding interest reset period, or, if there was no interest reset period,
the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest rate. |
Prime Rate Notes. The Prime Rate for any Interest Determination Date is the rate on that
date, as published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date for that
Interest Determination Date under the heading Bank Prime Loan or, if not published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such Interest Determination Date
as published in the H.15 Daily Update, or such other recognized electronic source used for the
purpose of displaying such rate, under the caption Bank Prime Loan.
The following procedures will be followed if the Prime Rate cannot be determined as described
above:
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If the above rate is not published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another
recognized electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date,
the calculation agent will determine the Prime Rate to be the average of the rates of
interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Page US PRIME 1,
as defined below, as that banks prime rate or base lending rate in effect as of 11:00
A.M., New York City time on that Interest Determination Date. |
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If fewer than four rates appear on the Reuters Page US PRIME 1 on the Interest
Determination Date, then the Prime Rate will be the average of the prime rates or base
lending rates quoted (on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by
a 360-day year) as of the close of business on the Interest Determination Date by three
major banks, which may include an agent or its affiliates, in The City of New York
selected by the calculation agent, after consultation with us. |
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If the banks selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as mentioned above,
the Prime Rate will remain the Prime Rate for the immediately preceding interest reset
period, or, if there was no interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be
the initial interest rate. |
Reuters Page US PRIME 1 means the display designated as page US PRIME 1 on Reuters (or any
successor service or any other page as may replace such page on such service) for the purpose of
displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks.
Treasury Rate Notes. The Treasury Rate for any Interest Determination Date is the rate set
at the auction of direct obligations of the United States (Treasury bills) having the Index
Maturity described in the related prospectus supplement or term sheet under the caption INVESTMENT
RATE on the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on page USAUCTION10 (or any other page
as may replace such page on such service) (Reuters Page USAUCTION10) or on page USAUCTION11 (or
any other page as may replace such page on such service) (Reuters Page USAUCTION11) by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the Calculation Date for that Interest Determination Date.
The following procedures will be followed if the Treasury Rate cannot be determined as
described above:
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if the rate is not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation
Date, the Treasury Rate will be the Bond equivalent yield of the auction rate for the
applicable Treasury bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, or other recognized
electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the
caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction High, or |
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if such rate is not so published in H.15 Daily Update by 3:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the Calculation Date, the Treasury Rate will be the Bond equivalent yield of
the auction rate of the applicable Treasury bills announced by the United States
Department of the Treasury, or |
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if the rate referred to above is not yet published or announced by the United States
Department of the Treasury by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, or if the auction is not
held, the Treasury Rate will be the Bond equivalent yield of the auction rate on the
applicable Interest Determination Date of Treasury bills having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet published in H.15(519)
under the caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market, or |
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if such rate is not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, then the Treasury Rate will be the rate on the applicable Interest
Determination Date of the applicable Treasury bills as published in the H.15 Daily
Update, or other recognized electronic sources used for the purpose of displaying the
applicable rate, under the caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary
Market, or |
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if such rate is not so published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another
recognized electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, then the calculation agent will determine the Treasury Rate to be the
Bond equivalent yield of the average of the secondary market bid rates, as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on the applicable Interest Determination
Date, of three primary United States government securities dealers (which may include
the agent or its affiliates) selected by the calculation agent, after consultation with
us, for the issue of Treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, or |
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if fewer than three dealers selected by the calculation agent are quoting as
mentioned above, the Treasury Rate will remain the Treasury Rate for the immediately
preceding interest reset period, or, if there was no interest reset period, the rate of
interest payable will be the initial interest rate. |
Bond equivalent yield means a yield calculated in accordance with the following formula and
expressed as a percentage:
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D ´ N |
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Bond equivalent yield
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=
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360 (D ´ M)
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´
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100 |
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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 the number of days in the year, either 365 or 366,
as the case may be, and M refers to the actual number of days in the interest reset period for
which interest is being calculated.
CMT Rate Notes. The CMT Rate for any Interest Determination Date is any of the following
rates displayed on the Designated CMT Reuters Page, as defined below, under the caption ...
Treasury Constant Maturities ... Federal Reserve Board Release H.15... Mondays Approximately 3:45
p.m., under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index, as defined below, for:
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the rate on that Interest Determination Date, if the Designated CMT Reuters Page is
FRBCMT; and |
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the week or the month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week in which
the related Interest Determination Date occurs, if the Designated CMT Reuters Page is
FEDCMT. |
The following procedures will be followed if the CMT Rate cannot be determined as described above:
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If the above rate is no longer displayed on the relevant page, or if not displayed
by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, then the CMT Rate
will be the Treasury Constant Maturities rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index
published in the relevant H.15(519). |
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If the above rate described in the first bullet point is no longer published, or if
not published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, then
the CMT rate will be the Treasury Constant Maturities rate for the Designated CMT
Maturity Index or other U.S. Treasury rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index on the
interest determination date for the related interest reset date as may then be
published by either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United
States Department of the Treasury that the calculation agent determines to be
comparable to the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Reuters Page and
published in the relevant H.155(519); |
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If the information described in the second bullet point is not provided by 3:00
p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, then the calculation agent
will determine the CMT Rate to be a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of
the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 p.m., New York
City time, on the Interest Determination Date, reported, according to their written
records, by three leading primary U.S. government securities dealers, which we refer to
as a reference dealer in The City of New York, which may include the agent or another
affiliate of ours, selected by the calculation agent as described in the following
sentence. The calculation agent will select five reference dealers, after consultation
with us, and will eliminate the highest quotation, or in the event of equality, one of
the highest, and the lowest quotation or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest,
for the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United
States, which are commonly referred to as Treasury notes, with an original maturity
of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index, a remaining term to maturity of no
more than 1 year shorter than that Designated CMT Maturity Index and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the securities in that market
at that time. If two Treasury notes with an original maturity as described above have
remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the
quotes for the Treasury note with the shorter remaining term to maturity will be used. |
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If the calculation agent cannot obtain three Treasury notes quotations as described
in the immediately preceding paragraph, the calculation agent will determine the CMT
Rate to be a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market
offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Interest
Determination Date of three reference dealers in The City of New York, selected using
the same method described in the immediately preceding paragraph, for Treasury notes
with an original maturity equal to the number of years closest to but not less than the
Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity closest to the
Designated CMT Maturity Index and in a principal amount that is representative for a
single transaction in the securities in that market at that time. |
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If three or four, and not five, of the reference dealers are quoting as described
above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic mean of the offer prices
obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of those quotes will be eliminated. |
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If fewer than three reference dealers selected by the calculation agent are quoting
as described above, the CMT Rate for that Interest Determination Date will remain the
CMT Rate for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or, if there was no
interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest rate. |
Designated CMT Reuters Page means the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on the
page designated in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet (or any other page as may
replace such page on such service) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as
reported in H.15(519). If not Reuters page is specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet, the Designated CMT Reuters Page will be FEDCMT, for the most recent week.
Designated CMT Maturity Index means the original period to maturity of the U.S. Treasury
securities, which is either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years, as specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement or term sheet, for which the CMT rate will be calculated. If no maturity is
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the Designated CMT Maturity Index
will be two years.
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes. The Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate for any
Interest Determination Date is the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of funds for the
calendar month preceding the Interest Determination Date as displayed on Telerate Page 7058 (or any
other page as may replace that specified page on that service) as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco
time, on the Calculation Date for that Interest Determination Date under the caption 11th
District.
The following procedures will be used if the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate cannot be
determined as described above:
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If the rate is not displayed on the relevant page as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco
time, on the Calculation Date, then the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate will be
the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh
Federal Home Loan Bank District, as |
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announced by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, as the cost of funds for the
calendar month preceding the date of announcement. |
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If no announcement was made relating to the calendar month preceding the Interest
Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate will remain the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or, if
there was no interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial
interest rate. |
Indexed Notes
We may issue debt securities for which the amount of interest or principal that you will
receive will not be known on your date of purchase. Interest or principal payments for these types
of debt securities, which we call Indexed Notes, are determined by reference to securities,
financial or non-financial indices, currencies, commodities, interest rates, or a composite or
baskets of any or all of the above. Examples of indexed items that may be used include a published
stock index, the common stock price of a publicly traded company, the value of the U.S. dollar
versus the Japanese yen, or the price of a barrel of West Texas intermediate crude oil.
If you purchase an Indexed Note, you may receive a principal amount at maturity that is
greater than or less than the Notes face amount, and an interest rate that is greater than or less
than the interest rate that you would have earned if you had instead purchased a conventional debt
security issued by us at the same time with the same maturity. The amount of interest and principal
that you will receive will depend on the structure of the Indexed Note and the level of the
specified indexed item throughout the term of the Indexed Note and at maturity. Specific
information pertaining to the method of determining the interest payments and the principal amount
will be described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, as well as additional risk factors
unique to the Indexed Note, certain historical information for the specified indexed item and
certain additional United States federal tax considerations.
Renewable Notes
We may issue Renewable Notes (Renewable Notes) which are debt securities that will
automatically renew at their stated maturity date unless the holder of a Renewable Note elects to
terminate the automatic extension feature by giving notice in the manner described in the related
prospectus supplement or term sheet. In addition, we may issue debt securities whose stated
Maturity Date may be extended at the option of the holder for one or more periods, as more fully
described in the prospectus supplement relating to such securities.
The holder of a Renewable Note must give notice of termination at least 15 but not more than
30 days prior to a Renewal Date. The holder of a Renewable Note may terminate the automatic
extension for less than all of its Renewable Notes only if the terms of the Renewable Note
specifically permit partial termination. An election to terminate the automatic extension of any
portion of the Renewable Note is not revocable and will be binding on the holder of the Renewable
Note. If the holder elects to terminate the automatic extension of the maturity of the Note, the
holder will become entitled to the principal and interest accrued up to the Renewal Date. The
related prospectus supplement or term sheet will identify a stated maturity date beyond which the
Maturity Date cannot be renewed.
If a Renewable Note is represented by a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company or its
nominee will be the holder of the Note and therefore will be the only entity that can exercise a
right to terminate the automatic extension of a Note. In order to ensure that The Depository Trust
Company or its nominee will exercise a right to terminate the automatic extension provisions of a
particular Renewable Note, the beneficial owner of the Note must instruct the broker or other
Depository Trust Company participant through which it holds an interest in the Note to notify The
Depository Trust Company of its desire to terminate the automatic extension of the Note. Different
firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and,
accordingly, each beneficial owner should consult the broker or other participant through whom it
holds an interest in a Note to ascertain the cut-off time by which an instruction must be given for
delivery of timely notice to The Depository Trust Company or its nominee.
Extendible Notes
We may issue debt securities whose stated Maturity Date may be extended at our option (an
Extendible Note) for one or more whole-year periods (each, an Extension Period), up to but not
beyond a stated maturity date described in the related prospectus supplement or term sheet.
We may exercise our option to extend the Extendible Note by notifying the applicable Trustee
(or any duly appointed paying agent) at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the then
effective Maturity Date. If we elect to
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extend the Extendible Note, the Trustee (or paying agent) will mail (at least 40 days prior to
the Maturity Date) to the registered holder of the Extendible Note a notice (an Extension Notice)
informing the holder of our election, the new Maturity Date and any updated terms. Upon the mailing
of the Extension Notice, the maturity of that Extendible Note will be extended automatically as set
forth in the Extension Notice.
However, we may, not later than 20 days prior to the Maturity Date of an Extendible Note (or,
if that date is not a Business Day, prior to the next Business Day), at our option, establish a
higher interest rate, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or a higher spread and/or spread
multiplier, in the case of a Floating Rate Note, for the Extension Period by mailing or causing the
applicable Trustee (or paying agent) to mail notice of such higher interest rate or higher spread
and/or spread multiplier to the holder of the Note. The notice will be irrevocable.
If we elect to extend the maturity of an Extendible Note, the holder of the Note will have the
option to instead elect repayment of the Note by us on the then effective Maturity Date. In order
for an Extendible Note to be so repaid on the Maturity Date, we must receive, at least 15 days but
not more than 30 days prior to the Maturity Date:
(1) the Extendible Note with the form Option to Elect Repayment on the reverse of the
Note duly completed; or
(2) a facsimile transmission, telex or letter from a member of a national securities
exchange or FINRA or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the
name of the holder of the Extendible Note, the principal amount of the Note, the principal
amount of the Note to be repaid, the certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms
of the Note, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a
guarantee that the Note be repaid, together with the duly completed form entitled Option to
Elect Repayment on the reverse of the Note, will be received by the applicable Trustee (or
paying agent) not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of the facsimile
transmission, telex or letter; provided, however, that the facsimile transmission, telex or
letter will only be effective if the Note and form duly completed are received by the applicable
Trustee (or paying agent) by that fifth Business Day. The option may be exercised by the holder
of an Extendible Note for less than the aggregate principal amount of the Note then outstanding
if the principal amount of the Note remaining outstanding after repayment is an authorized
denomination.
If an Extendible Note is represented by a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company or its
nominee will be the holder of that Note and therefore will be the only entity that can exercise a
right to repayment. To ensure that The Depository Trust Company or its nominee timely exercises a
right to repayment with respect to a particular Extendible Note, the beneficial owner of that Note
must instruct the broker or other participant through which it holds an interest in the Note to
notify The Depository Trust Company of its desire to exercise a right of repayment. Different
firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and,
accordingly, each beneficial owner should consult the broker or other participant through which it
holds an interest in an Extendible Note to determine the cut-off time by which an instruction must
be given for timely notice to be delivered to The Depository Trust Company or its nominee.
Additional Mechanics
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We may issue debt securities as follows:
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as Registered Securities; |
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as Bearer Securities (with interest coupons attached unless otherwise stated in the
prospectus supplement or term sheet) (Section 201); |
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as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities; |
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in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000 for Registered Securities and
even multiples of $5,000 for Bearer Securities (Section 302); or |
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in global form. See Book-Entry Debt Securities. |
You may have your Registered Securities separated into smaller denominations or combined into
larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. (Section 305) This is
called an exchange. If
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provided in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, you may exchange your Bearer Securities
with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons which are in default
for Registered Securities of the same series as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities between a Regular Record Date
or a Special Record Date and the relevant interest payment dates will be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such interest payment dates. Interest will not be payable in respect of the
Registered Security issued in exchange for that Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the
holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture. Unless we
specify otherwise in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, we will not issue Bearer Securities
in exchange for Registered Securities. (Section 305)
You may transfer Registered Securities of a series and you may exchange debt securities of a
series at the office of the Trustee. The Trustee will act as our agent for registering Registered
Securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. We may designate someone else
to perform this function. Whoever maintains the list of registered holders is called the Security
Registrar. The Security Registrar also will perform transfers. (Section 305)
You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but
you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or
transfer. The transfer or exchange will be made only if the Security Registrar is satisfied with
your proof of ownership. (Section 305)
If we designate additional transfer agents, we will name them in the accompanying prospectus
supplement or term sheet. We may cancel the designation of any particular transfer agent. We may
also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
If we redeem less than all of the Securities of a redeemable series, we may block the transfer
or exchange of Securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of
redemption or publish the notice (in the case of Bearer Securities) and ending on the day of that
mailing or publication, as the case may be, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the
mailing. We may also decline to register transfers or exchanges of debt securities selected for
redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed
portion of any debt security being partially redeemed. (Section 305)
If the offered debt securities are redeemable, we will describe the procedures for redemption
in the accompanying prospectus supplement or term sheet.
In this Additional Mechanics section of this prospectus, you means direct holders and not
indirect holders of debt securities.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to you, if you are listed in the Trustees records as the owner of your
debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest
on your debt security. Interest will be paid to you if you are listed as the owner even if you no
longer own the debt security on the interest due date. That particular day is called the Regular
Record Date and is defined in the prospectus supplement or term sheet. Persons who are listed in
the Trustees records as the owners of debt securities at the close of business on a particular day
are referred to as holders. (Section 307) Holders buying and selling debt securities must work
out between themselves the appropriate purchase price since we will pay all the interest for an
interest period to the holders on the Regular Record Date. The most common manner is to adjust the
sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on
their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period.
We will deposit interest, principal and any other money due on the debt securities with the
Paying Agent that we name in the prospectus supplement or term sheet.
If you plan to have a bank or brokerage firm hold your securities, you should ask them for
information on how you will receive payments. (Section 305)
If we issue Bearer Securities, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement or
term sheet, we will maintain an office or agency outside the United States for the payment of all
amounts due on the Bearer Securities. If we list the debt securities on any stock exchange located
outside the United States, we will maintain an office or agency for those debt securities in any
city located outside the United States required by that stock exchange.
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(Section 1002) We will specify the initial locations of such offices and agencies in the
prospectus supplement or term sheet. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or term
sheet, we will make payment of interest on any Bearer Securities on or before Maturity only against
surrender of coupons for such interest installments as they mature. (Section 1001) Unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, we will not make payment with respect to any
Bearer Security at any of our offices or agencies in the United States or by check mailed to any
address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the
United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will make payments of principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on Bearer Securities payable in U.S. dollars at the office of our Paying Agent
in The City of New York if (but only if) payment of the full amount in U.S. dollars at all offices
or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or
other similar restrictions. (Section 1002)
We may from time to time designate additional offices or agencies, approve a change in the
location of any office or agency and, except as provided above, rescind the designation of any
office or agency. (Section 1002)
Events of Default
You will have special rights if an Event of Default occurs as to the debt securities of your
series which is not cured, as described later in this subsection. (Section 501) Please refer to the
prospectus supplement or term sheet for information about any changes to the Events of Default or
our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
What Is an Event of Default? The term Event of Default as to the debt securities of your
series means any of the following:
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we do not pay the principal of (or premium, if any) on a debt security of such
series on its due date; |
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we do not pay interest on a debt security of such series within 30 days of its due
date; |
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we do not make or satisfy any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of
such series within 30 days of its due date; |
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we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of such series for
60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The
notice must be sent by either the Trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of
debt securities of such series; |
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we file for bankruptcy, or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization occur; or |
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there occurs any other Event of Default as to debt securities of the series
described in the prospectus supplement or term sheet. (Section 501) |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute
an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under an Indenture.
The Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of a particular series of
any default if it considers its withholding of notice to be in the interest of the holders of that
series, except that the Trustee may not withhold notice if the default is in the payment of
principal of (or premium, if any), or interest on, the debt securities. (Section 601)
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs. If an Event of Default has occurred and we have not
cured it, the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the
affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series
to be due and immediately payable by notifying us (or the Trustee, if the holders give notice) in
writing. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of
maturity may be canceled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt
securities of the affected series by notifying us (or the Trustee, if the holders give notice) in
writing. (Section 502)
Except in cases of default, where the Trustee has some special duties, the Trustee is not
required to take any action under the Indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders
offer the Trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an indemnity).
(Section 602 and Trust Indenture Act Section 315). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking
any remedy available to the Trustee. The Trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain
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circumstances. (Section 512) No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be
treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default. (Section 511)
Before you are allowed to bypass the Trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal
action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interest relating to the debt
securities, the following must occur:
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you must give the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and
remains uncured (Section 507); |
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the holders of 25% in principal amount of all of the debt securities of the relevant
series must make a written request that the Trustee take action because of the default
(Section 507) and must offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee against the cost and
other liabilities of taking that action (Section 602); |
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the Trustee must not have instituted a proceeding for 60 days after receipt of the
above notice and offer of indemnity (Section 507); and |
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the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have
given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during such 60-day
period. (Section 507). |
However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your
debt securities on or after the due date. (Section 508)
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may
waive any past defaults other than the following:
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the payment of principal of, any premium, interest or Additional Amounts on any debt
security or related coupon; or |
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in respect of a covenant that under Article Ten of the applicable Indenture cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of each holder. (Section 513) |
If your securities are held for you by a bank or brokerage firm, you should consult them for
information on how to give notice or direction to the Trustee or make a request of the Trustee and
how to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.
Each year, we will furnish the Trustee with a written statement of certain of our officers
certifying that, to their knowledge, we are in compliance with the Indenture and the debt
securities, or else specifying any default. (Section 1004)
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Under the terms of the Indentures, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with
another firm. We are also permitted to sell or transfer our assets substantially as an entirety to
another firm. (Section 801) However, we may not take any of these actions unless all of the
following conditions are met:
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where we merge or consolidate out of existence or sell or transfer our assets
substantially as an entirety, the resulting firm must agree to be legally responsible
for all obligations under the debt securities and the applicable Indenture (Section
801); |
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the merger, consolidation or sale or transfer of assets substantially as an entirety
must not cause a default on the debt securities. For purposes of this no-default test,
a default would include an Event of Default that has occurred and not been cured, as
described in this prospectus under What Is an Event of Default? (Section 801); |
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where we merge or consolidate out of existence or sell or transfer our assets
substantially as an entirety, the resulting firm (if a corporation) must be a
corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia (Section 801); |
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under the Senior Indenture, we may not merge, consolidate or sell or transfer our
assets substantially as an entirety if, as a result, any of our property or assets or
any property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined) would become subject to
any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance unless either: |
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the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to Section
1009 of such Indenture (see Senior Indenture ProvisionsLimitation on
Liens) without equally and ratably securing the Indenture Securities or |
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the Indenture Securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to
the debt secured by the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance (Section 803); |
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we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the Trustee (Section
801); and |
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we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus
supplement or term sheet. |
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of changes that we can make to the Indentures and the debt securities.
Changes Requiring Your Approval. First, there are changes that cannot be made to your
debt securities without your specific approval. (Section 902) Following is a list of those types of
changes:
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a change of the Stated Maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security; |
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a reduction of any amounts due on a debt security; |
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a reduction of the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the Maturity of
a Security following a default; |
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an adverse effect on any right of repayment at your option; |
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a change of the place (except as otherwise described in this prospectus) or Currency
of payment on a debt security; |
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impairment of your right to sue for payment; |
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with respect to debt securities issued under the Subordinated Indenture, an adverse
effect on the right to convert any debt securities as provided in Article 15 of the
Subordinated Indenture; |
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a modification of the subordination provisions in the Subordinated Indenture in a
manner that is adverse to you as a holder of the Subordinated Securities; |
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a reduction of the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed
to modify or amend the Indenture; |
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a reduction of the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed
to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or to waive certain
defaults; |
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a modification of any other aspect of the provisions of the Indenture dealing with
modification and waiver of past defaults (Section 513), the quorum or voting
requirements of the debt securities (Section 1504 of the Senior Indenture and Section
1704 of the Subordinated Indenture) or provisions relating to the waiver of certain
covenants (Section 1011 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1008 of the Subordinated
Indenture), except to increase any percentage of consents required to amend an
Indenture or for any waiver or to add certain provisions that cannot be modified
without the approval of each holder under Section 902; or |
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a change of any of our obligations to pay Additional Amounts. |
Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. The second type of change to the Indenture and the
outstanding debt securities is the kind that requires a vote in favor by holders of Outstanding
debt securities owning a majority of the principal amount of the particular series affected. Most
changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and certain other changes that would
not adversely affect holders of the Outstanding debt securities in any material respect. The same
vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver of all or part of certain covenants in the
applicable Indenture (Section 1011 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1008 of the Subordinated
Indenture) or a waiver of a past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default
or any other aspect of the Indentures or the Outstanding debt securities listed in the first
category described above under Changes Requiring Your Approval unless we obtain your individual
consent to the waiver. (Section 902)
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Changes Not Requiring Approval. The third type of change does not require any vote by
you as holders of Outstanding debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain
other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the Outstanding debt securities in any
material respect. (Section 901)
Further Details Concerning Voting. When taking a vote, we will use the following rules
to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a debt security:
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for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would
be due and payable on the voting date if the Maturity of the debt securities were
accelerated to that date because of a default; |
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for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is
based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the
prospectus supplement or term sheet; and |
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for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign Currencies or Currency units,
we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent. |
Debt securities will not be considered Outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we
have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities
will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. (Section 101)
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the holders of debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the applicable
Indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of a
particular series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of debt
securities of that series on the record date. (Section 104)
If your securities are held by a bank or brokerage firm, you should consult them for
information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the applicable Indenture
or the debt securities or request a waiver.
Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities
issued as Bearer Securities. (Section 1501 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1701 of the
Subordinated Indenture) A meeting may be called at any time by the applicable Trustee, and also,
upon request, by us or by the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding debt
securities of that series, upon notice given as provided in the applicable Indenture. (Section 1502
of the Senior Indenture and Section 1702 of the Subordinated Indenture)
Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected
thereby, as described above, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt
securities of a series may adopt any resolution presented at a meeting at which a quorum is
present. However, any resolution with respect to any action which the Indenture expressly provides
may be taken by a specified percentage less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting at which a quorum is present by vote of
that specified percentage. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of
debt securities of a series in accordance with the applicable Indenture will be binding on all
holders of debt securities of that series and any related coupons. The quorum at any meeting called
to adopt a resolution will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding debt securities of a series, except that if any action is to be taken at such meeting
which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of
the Outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding or representing such specified
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of that series will constitute a
quorum. (Section 1504 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1704 of the Subordinated Indenture)
Notwithstanding the above, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of holders of debt
securities of a series that the applicable Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the holders
of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding debt securities affected thereby
or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:
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there will be no minimum quorum requirement for that meeting; and |
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the principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of that series that vote in
favor of such action will be taken into account in determining whether that action has
been taken under such Indenture. (Section 1504 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1704
of the Subordinated Indenture) |
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Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The following discussion of defeasance and covenant defeasance will be applicable to your
series of debt securities, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet. (Section 1401)
Defeasance. If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally
release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities (called
defeasance) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
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We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct
holders of the debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S.
government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest,
principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates. |
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We must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a
change in current U.S. federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service (the IRS)
ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt
securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt
securities ourselves. (Sections 1402 and 1404) Under current U.S. federal tax law, the
deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we
paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or
bonds are deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities, and you would
recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit. |
If we ever accomplish defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the
trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the
event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of
our lenders and other creditors if we ever become bankrupt or insolvent. You would also be released
from the subordination provisions on the subordinated debt securities described later under
Subordination in this prospectus. If we accomplish a defeasance, we would retain only the
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to maintain an office or
agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold monies for payment in trust.
Covenant Defeasance. Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit
described above and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the Indentures. These
covenants relate to Limitation on Liens and Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
described in Sections 1009 and 1010, respectively, of the Senior Indenture and are summarized in
this prospectus. We can also be released from certain other covenants in the Indentures which may
be specified in the prospectus supplement or term sheet if we make the same type of deposit
described above. This is called covenant defeasance. In that event, you would lose the
protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and debt securities set
aside in trust to repay the debt securities. You also would be released from the subordination
provisions on the subordinated securities described under Subordination in this prospectus. In
order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
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deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the
debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency
obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other
payments on the debt securities on their various due dates; and |
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deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current
U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be
taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and
just repaid the debt securities ourselves. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt
securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the Trustee were prevented from making
payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred, such as our bankruptcy, and
the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on
the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
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Book-Entry Debt Securities
We may issue debt securities of a series in whole or in part in global form that we will
deposit with, or on behalf of, a depositary that we identify in a prospectus supplement or term
sheet. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary
or permanent form (each, a Global Security). Global Securities will be registered in the name of
a financial institution we select, and the debt securities included in the Global Securities may
not be transferred to the name of any other direct holder unless the special circumstances
described below occur. The financial institution that acts as the sole direct holder of the Global
Security is called the Depositary. Any person wishing to own a debt security must do so
indirectly by virtue of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that, in
turn, has an account with the Depositary.
Special Investor Considerations for Global Securities. Our obligations, as well as the
obligations of the Trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the Trustee, run only
to Persons who are registered as holders of debt securities. For example, once we make payment to
the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment even if that holder is
legally required to pass the payment along to you but does not do so. As an indirect holder, your
rights relating to a Global Security will be governed by the account rules of your financial
institution and of the Depositary, as well as general laws relating to debt securities transfers.
You should be aware that when we issue debt securities in the form of Global Securities:
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you cannot get debt securities registered in your own name; |
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you cannot receive physical certificates for your interest in the debt securities; |
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you must look to your own bank or brokerage firm for payments on the debt securities
and protection of your legal rights relating to the debt securities; |
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you may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance
companies and other institutions that are required by law to hold the physical
certificates of debt securities that they own; |
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the Depositarys policies will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other
matters relating to your interest in the Global Security. We and the Trustee have no
responsibility for any aspect of the Depositarys actions or for its records of
ownership interests in the Global Security. We and the Trustee also do not supervise
the Depositary in any way; and |
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the Depositary will usually require that interests in a Global Security be purchased
or sold within its system using same-day funds. |
Special Situations When Global Security Will Be Terminated. In a few special situations
described below, a Global Security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for
physical certificates representing debt securities. After that exchange, the choice of whether to
hold debt securities directly or indirectly through an account at your bank or brokerage firm will
be up to you. You must consult your own bank or broker to find out how to have interests in debt
securities transferred to your own name, so that you will hold them directly.
The special situations for termination of a Global Security are:
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when the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified
to continue as Depositary (unless a replacement Depositary is named); when an Event of
Default on the debt securities has occurred and has not been cured; and |
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when and if we decide to terminate a Global Security, subject to the procedures of
the Depositary. |
The prospectus supplement or term sheet may list situations for terminating a Global Security
that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus
supplement or term sheet. When a Global Security terminates, the Depositary (and neither we nor the
Trustee) is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct
holders. (Section 302) Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, debt
securities that are represented by a Global Security will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
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Resignation of Trustee
Each Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Indenture
Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. (Section
608) In the event that two or more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series
of Indenture Securities under one of the Indentures, each such Trustee will be a Trustee of a trust
separate and apart from the trust administered by any other such Trustee (Section 609), and any
action described herein to be taken by the Trustee may then be taken by each such Trustee with
respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of Indenture Securities for which it
is Trustee.
Senior Indenture Provisions
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
Under the terms of the Senior Indenture, we will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary (as defined) to, sell or transfer any manufacturing plant owned by us or any Restricted
Subsidiary with the intention of taking back a lease on such property unless:
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the sale or transfer of property is made within 120 days after the later of the date
of |
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the acquisition of such property, |
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the completion of construction of such property, or |
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the commencement of full operation thereof; |
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such lease has a term, including permitted extensions and renewals, of not more than
three years, and it is intended that the use by us or the Restricted Subsidiary of the
manufacturing plant covered by such lease will be discontinued on or before the
expiration of such term; |
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the amount that we realize from such sale or transfer, together with the value (as
defined) of then outstanding Sale and Leaseback Transactions not otherwise permitted by
the Senior Indenture and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of mortgage, pledge
or lien indebtedness not otherwise permitted by the Senior Indenture, will not exceed
10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined); or |
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we cause an amount equal to the value (as defined) of the manufacturing plant to be
sold or transferred and leased to be applied to the retirement (other than any
mandatory retirement) within 120 days of the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction of either the Indenture Securities or other funded indebtedness which is
equal in rank to the Indenture Securities, or both. (Section 1010 of the Senior
Indenture) |
These provisions are intended to preserve our assets and to limit our ability to incur leases
which effectively constitute indebtedness.
Limitation on Liens
Under the terms of the Senior Indenture, with certain exceptions, we will not, directly or
indirectly, and we will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or assume any mortgage,
pledge or other lien of or upon any of our or their assets unless all of the outstanding Indenture
Securities of each series are secured by such mortgage, pledge or lien equally and ratably with any
and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured for so long as any such other
obligations and indebtedness will be so secured. Among the exceptions are:
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the creation of any mortgage or other lien on any of our property or property of any
Restricted Subsidiary to secure indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or
within 120 days after the later of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or
the commencement of full operation of such property; and |
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mortgages or liens on any property that we or any Restricted Subsidiary acquire
after the date of the Senior Indenture existing at the time of such acquisition;
provided that we incur the secured |
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indebtedness for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition or
construction of any such property. |
In addition, we or any Restricted Subsidiary may create or assume any mortgage, pledge or
other lien not otherwise permitted by the Senior Indenture for the purpose of securing indebtedness
or other obligations so long as the aggregate of all such indebtedness and other obligations then
outstanding, together with the value of all outstanding Sale and Leaseback Transactions not
otherwise permitted, will not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1009 of the
Senior Indenture)
Definitions
The Senior Indenture defines the term Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as our total assets
and those of our consolidated subsidiaries, including the investment in (at equity) and the net
amount of advances to and accounts receivable from corporations which are not consolidated
subsidiaries, less the following:
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our current liabilities and those of our consolidated subsidiaries, including an
amount equal to indebtedness required to be redeemed by reason of any sinking fund
payment due in 12 months or less from the date as of which current liabilities are to
be determined; |
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all of our other liabilities and those of our consolidated subsidiaries other than
Funded Debt (as defined), deferred income taxes and liabilities for employee
post-retirement health plans recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 106; |
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all of our and our consolidated subsidiaries depreciation and valuation reserves
and all other reserves (except for reserves for contingencies which have not been
allocated to any particular purpose); |
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the book amount of all our and our consolidated subsidiaries segregated intangible
assets, including, but without limitation, such items as goodwill, trademarks, trade
names, patents and unamortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized debt
premium; and |
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appropriate adjustments on account of minority interests of other persons holding
stock in subsidiaries. |
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets is to be determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and as provided in the Senior Indenture. (Section 101
of the Senior Indenture)
The Senior Indenture defines the term Restricted Subsidiary as any of our subsidiaries
except:
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any subsidiary substantially all the assets of which are located, or substantially
all of the business of which is carried on, outside of the United States and Canada, or
any subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of stock or other
securities of such subsidiary; |
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any subsidiary principally engaged in the business of financing notes and accounts
receivable and any subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of stock or
other securities of such subsidiary; or |
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any subsidiary acquired or organized after the date of the Indenture, unless our
Board of Directors has designated it as a Restricted Subsidiary and such designation
will not result in the breach of any covenant or agreement in the Senior Indenture.
(Section 101 of the Senior Indenture) |
The Senior Indenture defines the term Funded Debt as indebtedness for borrowed money owed or
guaranteed by us or any of our consolidated subsidiaries, and any other indebtedness which under
generally accepted accounting principles would appear as debt on the balance sheet of such
corporation, which matures by its terms more than twelve months from the date as of which Funded
Debt is to be determined or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more
than twelve months from the date as of which Funded Debt is to be determined. (Section 101 of the
Senior Indenture)
For purposes of Limitation on Liens and Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions, the
Senior Indenture defines the term value with respect to a manufacturing plant as the amount equal
to the greater of:
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the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of such manufacturing plant; or |
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the fair value of such manufacturing plant at the time of entering into such Sale
and Leaseback Transaction, as determined by our Board of Directors. |
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This amount is divided first by the number of full years of the term of the lease and then
multiplied by the number of full years of such term remaining at the time of determination, without
regard to renewal or extension options contained in such lease. (Section 1010 of the Senior
Indenture)
Subordinated Indenture Provisions
Subordination
Article 16 of the Subordinated Indenture provides that the payment of principal of (and
premium, if any), and interest on, subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment
to the prior payment in full of Senior Indebtedness. We may make no payment with respect to
subordinated securities while a default exists with respect to our Senior Indebtedness.
The Subordinated Indenture defines Senior Indebtedness as:
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indebtedness of our company, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated
Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed for money borrowed
from banks or other lending institutions and any other indebtedness or obligations of
our company evidenced by a bond, debenture, note or other similar instrument, including
without limitation, overdrafts, letters of credit issued for our account and commercial
paper; |
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any other indebtedness that constitutes purchase money indebtedness for payment of
which we are directly or contingently liable (excluding trade accounts payable); |
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any direct or contingent indebtedness or obligation represented by guarantees or
instruments having a similar effect that we enter into (whether prior to the date of
the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter) with reference to lease or purchase money
obligations of a subsidiary or affiliate of our company or any other corporation in
which we hold or have an option to purchase 50% or more of the outstanding capital
stock; and |
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renewals, extensions and refundings of any indebtedness described in the three
bullet points above, unless in any case the terms of the instrument creating or
evidencing such indebtedness provide that the indebtedness is on a parity with or is
junior to the Subordinated Indebtedness. |
Any indebtedness that becomes indebtedness of our company by operation of merger,
consolidation or other acquisition will constitute Senior Indebtedness if that indebtedness would
have been Senior Indebtedness had it been issued by us. By reason of this subordination, in the
event that we become insolvent, holders of our Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and
holders of Subordinated Indebtedness may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors. The
Subordinated Indenture does not limit our ability to issue Senior Indebtedness.
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt, the
accompanying prospectus supplement or term sheet or the information incorporated by reference will
set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
The Trustees Under the Indentures
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(formerly known as Chemical Bank), is the Trustee under the Senior Indenture. We may appoint The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A. as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company N.A. is among the banks with which we maintain ordinary banking
relationships.
In the event that a default occurs under either Indenture, unless the default is cured or
waived within 90 days, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act require that, if The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company N.A. is Subordinated Trustee, it must resign as Trustee under either the
Subordinated Indenture or the Senior Indenture. In such circumstance, we expect that The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company N.A. would resign as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.
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Foreign Currency RisksFluctuations and Controls
Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. For
example, the value of the currencies, in comparison to U.S. dollars, may decline, or foreign
governments may impose or modify controls regarding the payment of foreign currency obligations.
These events may cause the value of debt securities denominated or payable in those foreign
currencies to fall substantially. These risks will vary depending upon the foreign currency or
currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
General
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, debt
securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars, payments of principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars and payment of the purchase price of debt
securities must be made in immediately available funds. If any debt securities (Foreign Currency
Notes) are to be denominated or payable in a currency (a specified currency) other than U.S.
dollars, the following provisions will apply in addition to, and to the extent inconsistent
therewith will replace, the description of general terms and provisions of debt securities set
forth in this prospectus and elsewhere in the accompanying prospectus supplement or term sheet.
A prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to any Foreign Currency Note (which may
include information with respect to applicable current foreign exchange controls) is a part of this
prospectus. Any information concerning exchange rates is furnished as a matter of information only
and should not be regarded as indicative of the range of or trends in fluctuations in currency
exchange rates that may occur in the future.
Currencies
We may offer Foreign Currency Notes denominated and/or payable in a specified currency or
specified currencies. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or term
sheet, purchasers are required to pay for Foreign Currency Notes in the specified currency. At the
present time, there are limited facilities in the United States for conversion of U.S. dollars into
specified currencies and vice versa, and banks may elect not to offer non-U.S. dollar checking or
savings account facilities in the United States. However, if requested on or prior to the fifth
Business Day preceding the date of delivery of the Foreign Currency Notes, or by such other day as
determined by the agent who presents such offer to purchase Foreign Currency Notes to us, such
agent may be prepared to arrange for the conversion of U.S. dollars into the specified currency set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet to enable the purchasers to pay for the
Foreign Currency Notes. Each such conversion will be made by the agents on such terms and subject
to such conditions, limitations and charges as the agents may from time to time establish in
accordance with their regular foreign exchange practices. All costs of exchange will be borne by
the purchasers of the Foreign Currency Notes.
Information about the specified currency in which a particular Foreign Currency Note is
denominated and/or payable, including historical exchange rates and a description of the currency
and any exchange controls, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Payment of Principal and Interest
The principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Foreign Currency Notes is payable by us in
the specified currency. Currently, banks do not generally offer non-U.S. dollar-denominated
account facilities in their offices in the United States, although they are permitted to do so.
Accordingly, a holder of Foreign Currency Notes will be paid in U.S. dollars converted from the
specified currency unless the holder is entitled to elect, and does elect, to be paid in the
specified currency, or as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term
sheet.
Any U.S. dollar amount to be received by a holder of a Foreign Currency Note will be based on
the highest bid quotation in The City of New York received by an agent for us specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet (the Exchange Rate Agent) at approximately 11:00
A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from
three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by
the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by us for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the specified
currency for U.S. dollars for settlement on the payment date in the aggregate amount of the
specified currency payable to all holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive U.S.
dollar payments and
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at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. If three bid quotations are not
available, payments will be made in the specified currency. All currency exchange costs will be
borne by the holder of the Foreign Currency Note by deductions from such payments.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, a holder of
Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest on the Foreign Currency Notes in the specified currency by transmitting a written request
for such payment to the corporate trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York on or prior
to the regular record date or at least 15 calendar days prior to Maturity Date, as the case may be.
This request may be in writing (mailed or hand delivered) or sent by cable, telex or other form of
facsimile transmission. A holder of a Foreign Currency Note may elect to receive payment in the
specified currency for all principal, premium, if any, and interest payments and need not file a
separate election for each payment. This election will remain in effect until revoked by written
notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any revocation must be received by the Trustee on or
prior to the regular record date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as
the case may be. Holders of Foreign Currency Notes whose Notes are to be held in the name of a
broker or nominee should contact their brokers or nominees to determine whether and how an election
to receive payments in the specified currency may be made.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, if the
specified currency is other than U.S. dollars, a beneficial owner of the related global security
who elects to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in the
specified currency must notify its participant through which it owns its beneficial interest on or
prior to the applicable record date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date,
as the case may be, of such beneficial owners election. The participant must notify the depositary
of such election on or prior to the third Business Day after such record date or at least 12
calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be, and the depositary will notify the
Trustee of such election on or prior to the fifth Business Day after such record date or at least
ten calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If complete instructions are
received by the participant from the beneficial owner and forwarded by the participant to the
depositary, and by the depositary to the Trustee, on or prior to such dates, then the beneficial
owner will receive payments in the specified currency.
Principal and interest on Foreign Currency Notes paid in U.S. dollars will be paid in the
manner specified in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or term sheet with
respect to debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars. See Description of Debt Securities
General. Interest on Foreign Currency Notes paid in the specified currency will be paid by check
mailed on an Interest Payment Date other than a Maturity Date to the persons entitled thereto to
the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register or, at our option, by wire
transfer to a bank account maintained by the holder in the country of the specified currency. The
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Foreign Currency Notes, together with interest
accrued and unpaid thereon, due on the Maturity Date will be paid, in the specified currency in
immediately available funds upon surrender of such Notes at the corporate trust office of the
Trustee in The City of New York, or, at our option, by wire transfer to such bank account of
immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at least 15 calendar days prior to
the Maturity Date by the applicable registered holder, provided the particular bank has appropriate
facilities to make these payments and the particular Foreign Currency Note is presented and
surrendered at the office or agency maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, in time for the Trustee to make these payments in accordance with its normal
procedures.
Payment Currency
If a specified currency is not available for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest with respect to a Foreign Currency Note due to the imposition of exchange controls or
other circumstances beyond our control, we will be entitled to satisfy our obligations to holders
of Foreign Currency Notes by making such payment in U.S. dollars on the basis of the noon buying
rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of the specified currency as certified for customs
purposes (or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(the Market Exchange Rate) as computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the second Business Day
prior to such payment or, if not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market
Exchange Rate or as otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. Any
payment made under these circumstances in U.S. dollars where the required payment is in a specified
currency will not constitute a default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities.
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All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent will be at its sole
discretion and will, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding
on the holders of the Foreign Currency Notes.
AS INDICATED ABOVE, AN INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES OR CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES INVOLVES
SUBSTANTIAL RISKS, AND THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF SUCH RISKS CHANGE CONTINUOUSLY. AS WITH ANY
INVESTMENT IN A SECURITY, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL
ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED IN AN INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES OR CURRENCY INDEXED
NOTES. SUCH NOTES ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS WHO ARE
UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY MATTERS.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to
time. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement to be entered
into between us and a warrant agent we select at the time of issue and the description in the
prospectus supplement relating to the applicable series of warrants.
We may issue (either separately or together with other offered securities) warrants to
purchase underlying debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination thereof
issued by us (offered warrants). Such warrants may be issued independently or together with any
such securities and may be attached or separate from the securities. We may issue the warrants
under separate warrant agreements (each a warrant agreement) to be entered into between us and a
bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the warrant agent), identified in the prospectus
supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency for or with holders of beneficial owners of warrants.
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the warrants and any
of the warrant agreements. We urge you to read any applicable warrant agreement because it, and
not this description, defines your rights as a holder of our warrants. We will file any executed
warrant agreement with the SEC. See Where You Can Find More Information for information on how
to obtain a copy of the warrant agreement.
General
You should read the prospectus supplement for the material terms of the offered warrants,
including the following:
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The title and aggregate number of the warrants. |
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The title, rank, aggregate principal amount and terms of the underlying debt
securities, preferred shares or common shares purchasable upon exercise of the
warrants. |
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The principal amount of underlying debt securities, preferred shares or common
shares that may be purchased upon exercise of each warrant, and the price or the manner
of determining the price at which this principal amount may be purchased upon exercise. |
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The currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of
such warrants may be payable. |
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The price at which and the currencies, including composite currencies, in which the
securities purchaseable upon exercise of such warrants shall commence and the date on
which such right will expire. |
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If applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised
at any one time. |
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If applicable, the title, rank, aggregate principal amount and terms of the
securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued
with each such security. |
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If applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and related securities will
be separately transferable. |
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Any optional redemption terms. |
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Whether certificates evidencing the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer
form and, if registered, where they may be transferred and exchanged. |
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Any other material terms of the warrants. |
The prospectus supplement will also contain a discussion of the United States federal income
tax considerations relevant to the offering.
Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different
denominations. No service charge will be imposed for any permitted transfer or exchange of warrant
certificates, but we may require payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith. Warrants may be exercised and
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exchanged and warrants in registered form may be presented for registration of transfer at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus
supplement or term sheet.
Exercise of Warrants
Each offered warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase the amount of underlying debt
securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination thereof at the exercise price set
forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the offered warrants. After
the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.
Warrants may be exercised by payment to the warrant agent of the applicable exercise price and
by delivery to the warrant agent of the related warrant certificate, properly completed. Warrants
will be deemed to have been exercised upon receipt of the exercise price and the warrant
certificate or certificates. Upon receipt of this payment and the properly completed warrant
certificates, we will, as soon as practicable, deliver the amount of underlying debt securities,
preferred shares, common shares or any combination thereof purchased upon exercise.
If fewer than all of the warrants represented by any warrant certificate are exercised, a new
warrant certificate will be issued for the unexercised warrants. The holder of a warrant will be
required to pay any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer involved in the issuance of underlying debt securities preferred shares, common shares or
other combination thereof purchased upon exercise.
Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of
warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes
that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and
adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
No Rights as Holders of Underlying Debt Securities, Preferred Shares or Common Shares
Before the warrants are exercised, holders of the warrants are not entitled to payments of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the related underlying debt securities and dividends
on the preferred shares, common shares or any combination thereof, as applicable, or to exercise
any rights whatsoever as holders of the underlying debt securities, preferred shares or common
shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions of the preferred shares.
If we offer preferred shares, we will describe the specific designation and rights in a prospectus
supplement or term sheet, and we will file a description with the SEC.
General
Our Board of Directors is authorized without further shareholder action to issue one or more
series of up to 14,106,394 preferred shares. The Board of Directors can also determine the number
of shares, dividend rates, dividend payment dates and dates from which dividends will be
cumulative, redemption rights or prices, sinking fund provisions, liquidation prices, conversion
rights and restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or any other class or series.
As of the date of this prospectus, no preferred shares are issued or outstanding.
The preferred shares will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting rights and
conversion rights set forth below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or term
sheet relating to a particular series of offered preferred shares.
We will set forth the following terms of the offered preferred shares in the prospectus
supplement or term sheet:
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the title and stated value of the offered preferred shares, the liquidation
preference per share and the number of shares offered; |
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the price at which we will issue the offered preferred shares; |
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the dividend rates and dates on which dividends will be payable, as well as the
dates from which dividends will commence to cumulate or the method(s) of calculation
thereof; |
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the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions upon which the offered preferred shares may be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at our option, if we are to have that option; |
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our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase the offered preferred shares pursuant
to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof, and
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions upon which the offered preferred shares will be redeemed or purchased in
whole or in part pursuant to such obligation; |
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any rights on the part of the holder to convert the offered preferred shares into
our common shares; |
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any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund, voting and other
rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions; |
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the terms of any debt warrants that we will offer together with or separately from
the offered preferred shares; |
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the national securities exchanges, if any, upon which the offered preferred shares
will be listed; |
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the procedures for any auction or remarketing, if any, of the offered preferred
shares; and |
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any other terms of the offered preferred shares. |
The preferred shares will be fully paid and nonassessable, and for each share issued, a sum
equal to the stated value will be credited to our preferred stock account.
We are subject to certain provisions of Ohio law, each of which may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company. See Description of Common
SharesCertain Ohio Statutes.
Dividends
As a holder of offered preferred shares, you will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when
and as declared by the Board of Directors out of our assets legally available for payment, at such
rate and on such quarterly dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet. Each dividend will be payable to holders of
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record as they appear on our stock books on the record dates fixed by the Board of Directors.
Dividends will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement or term sheet.
If we have not paid or declared and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on any
preferred shares for any dividend period or we are in default with respect to the redemption of
preferred shares or any sinking fund for any preferred shares, we may not do the following:
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declare any dividends (except a dividend payable in shares ranking senior to the
preferred shares) on, or make any distribution (except as aforesaid) on, the common shares or any of our other shares; or |
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make any payment on account of the purchase, redemption or other retirement of our
common shares or any of our other shares except out of the proceeds of the sale of
common shares or any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares. |
If dividends on preferred shares are in arrears, and there will be outstanding shares of any
other series of preferred shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with the preferred shares, we,
in making any dividend payment on account of such arrears, are required to make payments ratably
upon all outstanding preferred shares and such other series of preferred shares in proportion to
the respective amounts of dividends in arrears on such preferred shares and shares of such other
series.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
company, the holders of the offered preferred shares will be entitled to receive liquidating
distributions in the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet plus
all accrued and unpaid dividends. This distribution will be made out of our assets available for
distribution to shareholders and will be made before any distribution is made to holders of our
common shares. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
company, the amounts payable with respect to the preferred shares and any of our other shares
ranking on a parity with the preferred shares are not paid in full, the holders of those shares
will share ratably in any such distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the
liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be
entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets. A consolidation or merger
of our company with or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially
all of our assets will not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company.
Redemption
The offered preferred shares will be redeemable in whole or in part at our option, at the
times and at the redemption prices that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet.
We may not redeem less than all the outstanding shares of any series of preferred shares
unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment upon all
outstanding shares of such series of preferred shares for all past dividend periods. In addition,
all of our matured obligations with respect to all sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase
funds for all series of preferred shares then outstanding must have been met.
Voting Rights
The holders of the offered preferred shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
presented to our shareholders.
If the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on any series of preferred shares are in
default, whether or not declared or consecutive, the holders of all outstanding series of preferred
shares, voting as a single class without regard to series, will be entitled to elect two directors
until all dividends in default have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. The holders of
preferred shares will not have or exercise such special class voting rights except at meetings of
the shareholders for the election of directors at which the holders of not less than a majority of
the outstanding preferred shares of all series are present in person or by proxy.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding preferred
shares, voting as a single class without regard to series, will be required for any amendment of
our Amended Articles of Incorporation or Amended Regulations that will adversely affect the
preferences, rights or voting powers of the preferred shares. If
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not all series of preferred shares would be affected as to their preferences, rights or voting
powers, only the consent of holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of each series that would
be affected, voting separately as a class, will be required. A two-thirds vote is also required to
issue any class of stock that will have preference as to dividends or distribution of assets over
any outstanding series of preferred shares.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares will be
necessary to increase the authorized number of preferred shares or to authorize any shares ranking
on a parity with the preferred shares. The Regulations may be amended to increase the number of
directors, without the vote of the holders of outstanding preferred shares.
Conversion Rights
We will state in the prospectus supplement or term sheet for any series of offered preferred
shares whether shares in that series are convertible into common shares. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, if a series of preferred shares is
convertible into common shares, holders of convertible preferred shares of that series will have
the right, at their option and at any time, to convert any of those convertible preferred shares in
accordance with their terms. However, if that series of convertible preferred shares is called for
redemption, the conversion rights pertaining to such series will terminate at the close of business
on the date before the redemption date.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the
conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain events, including the following:
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the issuance of common shares or capital shares of any other class as a dividend or
distribution on the common shares; |
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subdivisions and combinations of the common shares; |
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the issuance of certain rights or warrants to all holders of common shares entitling
those holders to subscribe for or purchase common shares, or securities convertible
into common shares, within the period specified in the prospectus supplement or term
sheet at less than the current market price as defined in the Certificate of
Designations for such series of convertible preferred shares; and |
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the distribution of evidences of indebtedness or assets or rights or warrants to all
holders of common shares (excluding cash dividends, distributions, rights or warrants,
referred to above). |
No adjustments in the conversion rate will be made as a result of regular quarterly or other
periodic or recurrent cash dividends or distributions or for cash dividends or distributions to the
extent paid from retained earnings. No adjustment in the conversion price will be required unless
such adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the conversion price then in effect or a
period of three years will have elapsed from the date of occurrence of any event requiring any such
adjustment; provided that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made will be
carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. We reserve the right to make
such increases in the conversion rate in addition to those required in the foregoing provisions as
we, in our discretion, determine to be advisable in order that certain stock-related distributions
or subdivisions of the common shares hereafter made by us to our shareholders will not be taxable.
Except as stated above, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for the issuance of common shares
or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, or securities carrying the
right to purchase any of the foregoing.
In the case of:
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any reclassification or change of the common shares, |
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a consolidation or merger involving our company, or |
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a sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property and assets of our
company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, |
as a result of which holders of common shares will be entitled to receive stock, securities, or
other property or assets, including cash, with respect to or in exchange for such common shares,
the holders of the convertible preferred shares then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to
convert those convertible preferred shares into the kind and amount of shares and other securities
or property which they would have received upon such reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale or conveyance had those convertible
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preferred shares been converted into common shares immediately prior to the reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale or conveyance.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
The following is a summary of the material provisions concerning the common shares contained
in our Amended Articles of Incorporation (Articles) and our Amended Regulations (Regulations),
as affected by debt agreements. Reference is made to such Articles and Regulations, which we have
filed with the SEC. See Where You Can Find More Information in this prospectus for information on
how to obtain a copy of the Articles and Regulations. Our common shares are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Authorized Number
The Articles authorize the issuance of up to 500,000,000 common shares. Common shares issued
and outstanding totaled 165.2 million as of January 31, 2009. The outstanding common shares are
fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders are not subject to any liability for calls and
assessments. The Articles also authorize the issuance of up to 14,106,394 preferred shares.
Currently, there are no preferred shares issued and outstanding.
Dividends
Holders of common shares may receive dividends that our Board of Directors declares.
Voting Rights
Each common share entitles the holder to one vote. Directors are elected by cumulative voting,
which means that each common share entitles the holder to the number of votes equal to the number
of directors to be elected. All votes in respect of such common share may be cast for one or more
of the directors to be elected. Cumulative voting may have the effect of increasing minority
shareholders representation on the Board of Directors.
The Articles provide that action may be taken by the vote of the holders of shares entitling
them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Company, except in each case as is otherwise
provided in the Articles or Regulations. The Articles and Regulations provide for a voting
proportion, which is different from that provided by statutory law, in order for shareholders to
take action in certain circumstances, including the following:
(1) two-thirds vote required to fix or change the number of directors;
(2) two-thirds vote required for removal of directors;
(3) fifty percent of the outstanding shares required to call a special meeting of
shareholders;
(4) two-thirds vote required to amend the Regulations without a meeting;
(5) two-thirds vote required to amend the provisions described in items (1) and (4) above
and this provision, unless such action is recommended by two-thirds of the members of the Board
of Directors;
(6) two-thirds vote required to approve certain transactions, such as the sale, exchange,
lease, transfer or other disposition by the Company of all, or substantially all, of its assets
or business, or the consolidation of the Company or its merger into another corporation, or
certain other mergers and majority share acquisitions; and
(7) two-thirds vote required to amend the provisions described in item (6) above, or this
provision.
The requirement of a two-thirds vote in certain circumstances may have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of our Company.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
company, after the payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities and the
preferential amounts to which holders of our preferred shares are entitled, if any such
preferred shares are then outstanding, the holders of the common shares are entitled to share pro
rata in our assets remaining for distribution to shareholders.
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Miscellaneous Rights, Listing and Transfer Agents
Our common shares have no preemptive or conversion rights and there are no redemption or
sinking fund provisions applicable thereto.
Our outstanding common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Bank of New York
Mellon Corporation is the transfer agent and registrar for our common shares.
Classification of Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is divided into three approximately equal classes, having staggered
terms of office of three years each. The effect of a classified board of directors, where
cumulative voting is in effect, is to require the votes of more shares to elect one or more members
of the Board of Directors than would be required if the Board of Directors were not classified.
Additionally, the effect of a classified board of directors may be to make it more difficult to
acquire control of our company.
Certain Ohio Statutes
Various laws may affect the legal or practical ability of shareholders to dispose of shares of
our company. Such laws include the Ohio statutory provisions described below.
Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits an interested shareholder (defined as a
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of any
issuing public Ohio corporation) or any affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder (as
defined in Section 1704.01 of the Ohio Revised Code) from engaging in certain transactions with the
corporation during the three-year period after the interested shareholders share acquisition date.
The prohibited transactions include mergers, consolidations, majority share acquisitions,
certain asset sales, loans, certain sales of shares, dissolution, and certain reclassifications,
recapitalizations, or other transactions that would increase the proportion of shares held by the
interested shareholder.
After expiration of the three-year period, the corporation may participate in such a
transaction with an interested shareholder only if, among other things:
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the transaction receives the approval of the holders of two-thirds of all the
voting shares and the approval of the holders of a majority of the disinterested
voting shares (shares not held by the interested shareholder); or |
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the transaction meets certain criteria designed to ensure that the remaining
shareholders receive fair consideration for their shares. |
The prohibitions do not apply if, before the interested shareholder becomes an interested
shareholder, the board of directors of the corporation approves either the interested shareholders
acquisition of shares or the otherwise prohibited transaction. The restrictions also do not apply
if a person inadvertently becomes an interested shareholder or was an interested shareholder prior
to the adoption of the statute on April 11, 1990, unless, subject to certain exceptions, the
interested shareholder increases his, her or its proportionate share interest on or after April 11,
1990.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1707.043, a public corporation formed in Ohio may
recover profits that a shareholder makes from the sale of the corporations securities within
eighteen (18) months after making a proposal to acquire control or publicly disclosing the
possibility of a proposal to acquire control. The corporation may not, however, recover from a
person who proves in a court of competent jurisdiction either of the following:
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that his, her or its sole purpose in making the proposal was to succeed in acquiring
control of the corporation and there were reasonable grounds to believe that such
person would acquire control of the corporation; or |
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such persons purpose was not to increase any profit or decrease any loss in the
stock, and the proposal did not have a material effect on the market price or trading
volume of the stock. |
Also, before the corporation may obtain any recovery, the aggregate amount of the profit
realized by such person must exceed $250,000. Any shareholder may bring an action on behalf of the
corporation if a corporation fails or refuses to bring an action to recover these profits within
sixty (60) days of a written request. The party
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bringing such an action may recover attorneys fees if the court having jurisdiction over such action orders recovery of any profits.
Control Share Acquisition Act
We are also subject to Ohios Control Share Acquisition Act (Ohio Revised Code 1701.831). The
Control Share Acquisition Act provides that, with certain exceptions, a person may acquire
beneficial ownership of shares in certain ranges (one-fifth or more but less than one-third,
one-third or more but less than a majority, or a majority or more) of the voting power of the
outstanding shares of an Ohio corporation meeting certain criteria, which our company meets, only
if such person has submitted an acquiring person statement and the proposed acquisition has been
approved by the vote of a majority of the shares of the corporation represented at a special
meeting called for such purpose and by a majority of such shares of the corporation excluding
interested shares, as defined in Section 1701.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAXATION
The following summary describes, subject to the limitations set forth below, the material U.S.
federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt
securities and equity securities described in this prospectus. Except where noted, this discussion
addresses only debt securities and equity securities purchased by investors at original issue for
their issue price and held as capital assets and does not address certain types of securities
described in this prospectus as further explained below. The applicable prospectus supplement or
term sheet will contain a discussion of any special U.S. federal income tax considerations in
respect of those types of securities.
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code),
Treasury Regulations (including proposed Regulations and temporary Regulations) promulgated
thereunder, the IRS rulings, official pronouncements and judicial decisions, all as in effect on
the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive
effect, or to different interpretations. The discussion below does not address all of the U.S.
federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to a holder of a security nor does this
discussion describe certain tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of holders
subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as individual retirement and
other tax-deferred accounts, dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions,
partnerships, life insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, persons holding a debt security
as a hedge or hedged against currency risk, as a position in a straddle for tax purposes, as part
of a synthetic security or other integrated investment comprised of a debt security or equity
security and one or more other investments, United States persons (as defined below) whose
functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, or to certain U.S. expatriates. This discussion
applies only to debt securities issued in registered form, and except where noted, this discussion
does not describe tax consequences to subsequent purchases of debt securities or equity securities.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding or disposing of a particular
security will depend, in part, on the particular terms of such security as set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of
purchasing, holding or disposing of certain Floating Rate Notes, Foreign Currency Notes (other than
Single Foreign Currency Notes, as defined below), Amortizing Notes, Bearer Securities, Floating
Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, Indexed Notes, Renewable Notes, Extendible Notes, Notes (as defined below)
paired with warrants, common shares, preferred shares, warrants, units and convertible securities
referred to in this prospectus will be set out in the applicable prospectus supplement or term
sheet. Persons considering the purchase of one or more securities should consult their independent
tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax law to their particular
situations, as well as any tax consequences arising under the law of any state, local or foreign
tax jurisdiction, and about any potential tax law changes and the effects applicable to them.
For purposes of the following discussion, United States person means an individual who is a
citizen or resident of the United States, an estate subject to U.S. federal income taxation without
regard to the source of its income, a corporation or other business entity treated as a corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or a trust if a valid election to be treated
as a United States person, as defined in the Code, is in effect with respect to such trust or both:
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a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust, and |
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one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust. |
If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the security, the treatment of a partner in
the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the
partnership. A holder of security that is a partnership and partners in such partnership should
consult their independent tax advisors.
43
United States Holders
The following discussion pertains only to a holder that is a beneficial owner of a debt
security (a Note) or an equity security described in this prospectus and that is a United States
person (a U.S. holder).
Payments of Interest on Notes
Except as discussed below under OID Notes and Short-Term Notes, payment of interest on a
Note will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary interest income at the time it is accrued or
received in accordance with the holders method of tax accounting. Special rules relating to OID
Notes, Notes with floating interest rates, Notes denominated in a foreign currency or containing
certain other provisions are described below.
OID Notes
The following summary is a general description of U.S. federal income tax consequences to
holders of Notes issued with original issue discount (OID Notes) and is based on the provisions
of the Code and on certain Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder relating to original issue
discount (the OID Regulations).
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is the excess of the stated
redemption price at maturity of an OID Note over its issue price, if such excess is greater than or
equal to a de minimis amount (generally 1/4 of 1% of the OID Notes stated redemption price at
maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity from its issue date). The issue
price of OID Notes that are issued for cash will be equal to the first price at which a substantial
amount of such Notes is sold for money. For this purpose, sales to bond houses, brokers or similar
persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers
are ignored. The stated redemption price at maturity of an OID Note is the sum of all payments
provided by the OID Note, other than payments of qualified stated interest. Under the OID
Regulations, qualified stated interest includes stated interest that is unconditionally payable
in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a single fixed
rate (with certain exceptions for lower rates paid during some periods) or certain variable rates
as described below. Interest is payable at a single fixed rate only if the rate appropriately
takes into account the length of the interval between payments. Except as described below with
respect to Short-Term Notes, a holder of an OID Note will be required to include original issue
discount in ordinary income as it accrues before the receipt of any cash attributable to such income,
regardless of such holders regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Special rules for certain floating rate Notes are described below under Variable Rate Notes. A
holder of an OID Note with de minimis original issue discount will include any de minimis original
issue discount in income, as capital gain, on a pro rata basis as principal payments are made on
such Note.
The amount of original issue discount includible in income by the initial holder of an OID
Note is the sum of the daily portions of original issue discount with respect to such Note for each
day during the taxable year on which such holder held such Note (accrued original issue
discount). Generally, the daily portion of the original issue discount is determined by
allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount
allocable to such accrual period. Under the OID Regulations, the accrual periods for an OID Note
may be selected by each holder, may be of any length, and may vary in length over the term of an
OID Note, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment
of principal or interest occurs either on the first day or final day of an accrual period. The
amount of original issue discount allocable to each accrual period is equal to the excess, if any,
of:
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the product of an OID Notes adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual
period and its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close
of each accrual period and adjusted for the length of such accrual period) over |
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the amount of qualified stated interest, if any, payable on such OID Note and
allocable to such accrual period. |
The adjusted issue price of an OID Note at the beginning of any accrual period generally is
the sum of the issue price (including accrued interest, if any) of an OID Note plus the accrued original issue discount allocable to all
prior accrual periods, reduced by any prior payment on the OID Note other than a payment of
qualified stated interest. As a result of this constant
yield method of including original issue discount income, a holder of an OID Note generally will have to
include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in successive accrual
periods.
44
If a holders tax basis in an OID Note immediately after purchase exceeds the adjusted issue
price of the OID Note (the amount of such excess is considered acquisition premium) but is not
greater than the stated redemption price at maturity of such OID Note, the amount includible in
income in each taxable year as original issue discount is reduced (but not below zero) by that
portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to such year.
If a holder purchases an OID Note for an amount in excess of the stated redemption price at
maturity, the holder does not include any original issue discount in income and generally may be
subject to the bond premium rules discussed below. See Amortizable Bond Premium. If a holder
has a tax basis in an OID Note that is less than the adjusted issue price of such Note, the
difference may be subject to the market discount provisions discussed below. See Market
Discount.
Variable Rate Notes
In general, under Treasury Regulations, stated interest on certain floating rate Notes that
qualify as Variable Rate Notes will be taxable to a U.S. holder when accrued or received in
accordance with the U.S. holders method of tax accounting. For this purpose, a Variable Rate Note
is a Note that
(1) has an issue price that does not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments by
more than the lesser of:
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the total noncontingent principal payments; |
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the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date; and |
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0.015; or |
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15 percent of the total noncontingent principal payments; and |
(2) does not provide for stated interest other than stated interest compounded or paid at
least annually at:
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one or more qualified floating rates; |
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a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates; |
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a single objective rate; or |
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a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a
qualified inverse floating rate. |
A qualified floating rate or objective rate in effect at any time during the term of the
instrument must be set at a current value of that rate. A current value of a rate is the value
of the rate on any day that is no earlier than three months prior to the first day on which that
value is in effect and no later than one year following that first day.
A variable rate is a qualified floating rate if
(1) variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure
contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the Note
is denominated; or
(2) it is equal to the product of such a rate and either:
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a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than
l.35; or |
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a fixed multiple greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35,
increased or decreased by a fixed rate. |
If a Note provides for two or more qualified floating rates that:
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have values within 0.25 percentage points of each other on the issue date; or |
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can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the term
of the Note, |
the qualified floating rates together constitute a single qualified floating rate. A rate is not a
qualified floating rate, however, if the rate is subject to certain restrictions (including caps,
floors, governors, or other similar restrictions) unless such restrictions are fixed throughout the
term of the Note or are not reasonably expected to significantly affect the yield on the Note.
An objective rate is a rate, other than a qualified floating rate, that is determined using
a single, fixed formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information. A rate
will not qualify as an objective rate if it is based on information that is within the control of
the issuer (or a related party) or that is unique to the circumstances of the issuer (or a related
party), such as dividends, profits, or the value of the issuers stock (although a rate does not
fail to be an objective rate merely because it is based on the credit quality of the issuer). A
variable rate is not an objective rate if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the
rate during the first half of the Notes term will be either significantly less than or
significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the final half of the Notes term.
An objective rate is a qualified inverse floating rate if:
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the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate; and |
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the variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect
contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating rate. |
If interest on a Note is stated at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less
followed by either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate for a subsequent period, and:
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the fixed rate and the qualified floating rate or objective rate have values on the
issue date of the Note that do not differ by more than 0.25 percentage points; or |
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the value of the qualified floating rate or objective rate on the issue date is
intended to approximate the fixed rate, |
then the fixed rate and the qualified floating rate or the objective rate constitute a single
qualified floating rate or objective rate.
Under these rules relating to variable rate debt instruments, CD Rate Notes, Commercial Paper
Rate Notes, LIBOR Notes, Federal Funds Rate Notes, Prime Rate Notes, Treasury Rate Notes, CMT Rate
Notes and Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Notes generally will be treated as Variable Rate
Notes.
In general, if a Variable Rate Note provides for stated interest at a single qualified
floating rate or objective rate and the interest is unconditionally payable in cash at least
annually, all stated interest on the Variable Rate Note is qualified stated interest. The amount
of original issue discount, if any, is determined by using, in the case of a qualified floating
rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the value as of the issue date of the qualified floating
rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or, in the case of any other objective rate, a fixed rate
that reflects the yield reasonably expected for the Variable Rate Note. The qualified stated
interest allocable to an accrual period is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually paid
during an accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be paid during the
accrual period, as described in the previous sentence.
If a Variable Rate Note does not provide for stated interest at a single qualified floating
rate or a single objective rate, or at a single fixed rate (other than at a single fixed rate for
an initial period), the amount of interest and original issue discount accruals on the Variable
Rate Note are generally determined by:
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determining a fixed rate substitute for each variable rate provided under the
Variable Rate Note (generally the value of each variable rate as of the issue date or,
in the case of an objective rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate, a rate
that reflects the reasonably expected yield on the Variable Rate Note); |
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constructing the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument (using the fixed rate
substitute described above); |
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determining the amount of qualified stated interest and original issue discount with
respect to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument; and |
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making the appropriate adjustments for actual variable rates during the applicable
accrual period. |
If a Variable Rate Note provides for stated interest, either at one or more qualified floating
rates or at a qualified inverse floating rate, and in addition provides for stated interest at a
single fixed rate (other than at a single fixed rate for an initial period), the amount of interest
and original issue discount accruals are determined as in the immediately preceding paragraph with
the modification that the Variable Rate Note is treated, for purposes of the first three steps of
the determination, as if it provided for a qualified floating rate (or a qualified inverse floating
rate, as the case may be) rather than the fixed rate. The qualified floating rate (or qualified
inverse floating rate) replacing the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the
Variable Rate Note, as of the issue date, would be approximately the same as the fair market value
of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for the qualified floating rate (or
qualified inverse floating rate) rather than the fixed rate.
Single Foreign Currency Notes
The following summary relates to Notes (Single Foreign Currency Notes) on which all payments
that a holder is entitled to receive are denominated in or determined by reference to the value of
a single Foreign Currency. Foreign Currency means a currency or currency unit, other than a
hyperinflationary currency as defined in the Code, or the U.S. dollar.
The amount required to be included in income by a cash basis holder upon receipt of an
interest payment (representing a payment of qualified stated interest) denominated in or determined
with reference to a single Foreign Currency, will be the U.S. dollar value of the amount paid
(determined on the basis of the spot rate on the date such payment is received), regardless of
whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. No exchange gain or loss will be
recognized with respect to the receipt of such payment.
Except in the case of a Spot Rate Convention Election (as defined below), a holder of a Single
Foreign Currency Note who uses the accrual method of accounting or is otherwise required to accrue
interest income prior to receipt will be required to include in income for each taxable year the
U.S. dollar value of the interest that has accrued during such year, determined by translating such
interest at the average rate of exchange for the period or periods during which such interest has
accrued. The average rate of exchange for an interest accrual period (or partial period) is the
simple average of the spot exchange rates for each business day of such period (or such other
average exchange rate that is reasonably derived and consistently applied by the holder). Upon
receipt of an interest payment (including a payment attributable to accrued but unpaid interest
upon the sale or exchange of a Single Foreign Currency Note), such holder will recognize ordinary
gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign
Currency received (determined on the basis of the spot rate on the date such payment is received)
or, in the case of interest received in U.S. dollars rather than in Foreign Currency, the amount so
received and the U.S. dollar value of the interest income that such holder has previously included
in income with respect to such payment. Any such gain or loss generally will not be treated as
interest income or expense, except to the extent provided by administrative pronouncements of the
IRS.
A holder may elect (a Spot Rate Convention Election) to translate accrued interest into U.S.
dollars at the spot rate on the last day of an accrual period for the interest, or, in the case
of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the spot rate on the last day of the
taxable year. Additionally, if a payment of interest is received within five business days of the
last day of the accrual period, an electing holder may instead translate such accrued interest into
U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the day of receipt. Any such election will apply to all debt
instruments held by the United States person at the beginning of the first taxable year to which
the election applies or thereafter acquired by the United States person and cannot be revoked
without the consent of the IRS.
For purposes of this discussion, the spot rate generally means a rate that reflects a fair
market rate of exchange available to the public for currency under a spot contract in a free
market and involving representative amounts. A spot contract is a contract to buy or sell a
currency on the nearest conventional settlement date, generally two business days following the
date of the execution of the contract. If such a spot rate cannot be demonstrated, the IRS has the
authority to determine the spot rate.
Original issue discount on a Single Foreign Currency Note that is also an OID Note will be
determined for any accrual period in the applicable Foreign Currency and then translated into U.S.
dollars in the same manner as
47
interest income accrued by a holder on the accrual basis, including the application of a Spot
Rate Convention Election. Likewise, upon receipt of payment attributable to original issue
discount (whether in connection with a payment of interest or the sale, exchange or retirement of
an OID Note), a holder will recognize exchange gain or loss to the extent of the difference between
such holders basis in the accrued original issue discount (determined in the same manner as for
accrued interest) and the U.S. dollar value of such payment (determined by translating any Foreign
Currency received at the spot rate on the date of payment). Generally, any such exchange gain or
loss will be ordinary income or loss and will not be treated as interest income or expense, except
to the extent provided in administrative pronouncements of the IRS. For this purpose, all payments
on a Note will be viewed first as the payment of qualified stated interest (determined under the
original issue discount rules), second as the payment of previously accrued original issue discount
(to the extent thereof), with payments considered made for the earliest accrual periods first, and
thereafter as the payment of principal.
Treasury Regulations issued under the Code meant to require the reporting of certain tax
shelter transactions could be interpreted to cover transactions generally not regarded as tax
shelters, including certain foreign currency transactions. Under the Treasury Regulations, certain
transactions are required to be reported to the IRS, including, in certain circumstances, a sale,
exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a foreign currency debt security to the extent
that such sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition results in a tax loss in excess
of a threshold amount. If you are considering the purchase of a foreign currency debt security,
you should consult with your independent tax advisors to determine the tax return and disclosure
obligations, if any, with respect to an investment in the debt securities, including any
requirement to file IRS Form 8886 (Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement).
Short-Term Notes
In general, an individual or other cash method holder of a Note that matures one year or less
from the date of its original issuance (a Short-Term Note) is not required to accrue original
issue discount on such Note unless it has elected to do so. For purposes of determining whether a
Note is a Short-Term Note, the Note matures on the last possible date it could be outstanding under
its terms. Holders who report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the accrual
method, however, and certain other holders, including banks, dealers in securities and electing
holders, are required to accrue original issue discount (unless the holder elects to accrue
acquisition discount in lieu of original issue discount) and stated interest (if any) on such
Note. Acquisition discount is the excess of the remaining stated redemption price at maturity of
the Short-Term Note over the holders tax basis in the Short-Term Note at the time of the
acquisition. In the case of a holder who is not required, and does not elect, to accrue original
issue discount or acquisition discount on a Short-Term Note, any gain realized on the sale,
exchange or retirement of such Short-Term Note will be ordinary income to the extent of the
original issue discount accrued through the date of such sale, exchange or retirement. Such a
holder will be required to defer, until such Short-Term Note is sold or otherwise disposed of, the
deduction of a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to
purchase or carry such Short-Term Note. Original issue discount or acquisition discount on a
Short-Term Note accrues on a straight-line basis unless an election is made to use the constant
yield method (based on daily compounding).
In the case of a Short-Term Note that is also a Single Foreign Currency Note, the amount of
original issue discount or acquisition discount subject to current accrual and the amount of any
exchange gain or loss on a sale, exchange or retirement are determined under the same rules that
apply to accrued interest on a Single Foreign Currency Note held by a holder on the accrual basis.
A holder which is not required to, and which does not elect to, accrue original issue discount, or
acquisition discount, will determine exchange gain or loss with respect to accrued original issue
(or acquisition) discount on a sale, exchange, retirement or on maturity of a Short-Term Note in
the same manner that a cash basis holder would account for interest income on a Single Foreign
Currency Note.
The market discount rules will not apply to a Short-Term Note.
Market Discount
If a holder purchases a Note (other than an OID Note or a Short-Term Note) for an amount that
is less than its stated redemption price at maturity, or purchases an OID Note for less than its
revised issue price (as defined under the Code) as of the purchase date, the amount of the
difference will be treated as market discount unless such difference is less than a specified de
minimis amount. Under the market discount rules of the Code, a holder will be required to treat
any partial principal payment on (or, in the case of an OID Note, any payment that does not
constitute qualified stated interest), or any gain realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of,
a Note as ordinary
48
interest income to the extent of the market discount which has not previously been included in
income and is treated as having accrued on such Note at the time of such payment or disposition.
Further, a disposition of a Note by gift (and in certain other circumstances) could result in the
recognition of market discount income, computed as if such Note had been sold at its then fair
market value. In addition, a holder who purchases a Note with market discount may be required to
defer the deduction of all, or a portion, of the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness
incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such Note until the maturity of the Note, or its
earlier disposition in a taxable transaction.
Market discount is considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition
to the stated maturity date of a Note, unless the holder elects to accrue market discount under the
rules applicable to original issue discount. A holder may elect to include market discount in
income (generally as ordinary income) currently as it accrues, in which case the rules described
above regarding the deferral of interest deductions and ordinary income treatment upon disposition
or partial principal payment will not apply. Such election will apply to all debt instruments
acquired by the holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election
applies and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
With respect to a Single Foreign Currency Note, market discount is determined in the
applicable Foreign Currency. In the case of a holder who does not elect current inclusion, accrued
market discount is translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the date of disposition. No
part of such accrued market discount is treated as exchange gain or loss. In the case of a holder
who elects current inclusion, the amount currently includible in income for a taxable year is the
U.S. dollar value of the market discount that has accrued during such year, determined by
translating such market discount at the average rate of exchange for the period or periods during
which it accrued. Such an electing holder will recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to
accrued market discount under the same rules that apply to accrued interest on a Single Foreign
Currency Note received by a holder on the accrual basis.
Amortizable Bond Premium
Generally, if a holders tax basis in a Note held as a capital asset exceeds the stated
redemption price at maturity of such Note, such excess may constitute amortizable bond premium that
the holder may elect to amortize as an offset to interest income on the Note under the constant
interest rate method over the period from the holders acquisition date to the Notes stated
maturity date. Any such election will apply to all debt instruments held by and acquired by the
holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and may
be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. Under certain circumstances, amortizable bond premium
may be determined by reference to an early call date. Special rules apply with respect to Single
Foreign Currency Notes. If a holder elects to amortize the premium, the holder will be required to
reduce such holders tax basis in the Note by the amount of the premium amortized during the
holding period. If a holder does not elect to amortize premium, the amount of premium will be
included in such holders tax basis in the Note. Therefore, if a holder does not elect to amortize
premium and holds the Note to maturity, such holder generally will be required to treat the premium
as capital loss when the Note matures.
Constant Yield Election
Under the OID Regulations, a holder of a Note may elect to include in income all interest that
accrues on such Note using the constant yield method (a constant yield election). For this
purpose, interest includes stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, de
minimis original issue discount, market discount, de minimis market discount, and unstated
interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium. Special rules apply
to constant yield elections made with respect to Notes issued with amortizable bond premium or
market discount, including that a holder would be deemed, by virtue of making such constant yield
election, to have made an election to amortize bond premium or accrue market discount, as
separately described above. Once made with respect to a Note, the constant yield election cannot
be revoked without the consent of the IRS. Holders considering a constant yield election should
consult their independent tax advisors.
Purchase, Sale, Exchange or Retirement of Notes
A holders tax basis in a Note generally will be the U.S. dollar cost of the Note to such
holder (which, in the case of a Note purchased with Foreign Currency, will be determined by
translating the purchase price at the spot rate on the date of purchase or, in the case of a Note
that is traded on an established securities market as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations,
on the settlement date if the holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an accrual basis
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taxpayer that so elects), increased by any original issue discount, market discount or
acquisition discount previously included in the holders gross income (as described below), and
reduced by any amortized bond premium, taken into account by the holder and any principal payments
and payments of stated interest that are not payments of qualified stated interest received by the
holder.
Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note, a holder generally will recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement (or
the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized in a Foreign Currency at the spot rate on the date of
the sale, exchange or retirement or, in the case of a Note that is traded on an established
securities market as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations, on the settlement date if the
holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an accrual basis taxpayer that so elects), except to the extent
such amount is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, and the holders tax basis in the Note.
Except with respect to:
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gains or losses attributable to changes in exchange rates (as described in the next
paragraph); |
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gains attributable to market discount; and |
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gains on the disposition of a Short-Term Note; |
gain or loss so recognized will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss,
if, at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement, the Note was held for more than one year.
Under current law, long-term capital gains of individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed
at lower rates than items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
Gain or loss recognized by a holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Single Foreign
Currency Note that is attributable to changes in exchange rates will be treated as ordinary income
or loss and generally will not be treated as interest income or expense except to the extent
provided by administrative pronouncements of the IRS. Gain or loss attributable to changes in
exchange rates is recognized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Single Foreign Currency Note
only to the extent of the total gain or loss recognized on such sale, exchange or retirement.
Exchange of Foreign Currency
A U.S. holders tax basis in Foreign Currency purchased by the holder generally will be the
U.S. dollar value thereof at the spot rate on the date such Foreign Currency is purchased. A
holders tax basis in Foreign Currency received as interest on, or on the sale, exchange or
retirement of, a Single Foreign Currency Note will be the U.S. dollar value thereof at the spot
rate at the time such Foreign Currency is received. The amount of gain or loss recognized by a
holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of Foreign Currency will be equal to the difference
between:
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the amount of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value at the spot rate of the Foreign
Currency, or the fair market value in U.S. dollars of the property received by the
holder in the sale, exchange or other disposition; and |
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the holders tax basis in the Foreign Currency. |
Accordingly, a holder that purchases a Note with Foreign Currency will recognize gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between such holders tax basis in the Foreign
Currency and the U.S. dollar value at the spot rate of the Foreign Currency on the date of
purchase. Generally, any such gain or loss will be ordinary income or loss and will not be treated
as interest income or expense, except to the extent provided by administrative pronouncements of
the IRS.
Subsequent Interest Periods and Extension of Maturity
If so specified in the prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to a Note, we may have the
option:
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to reset the interest rate, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or to reset the
spread, the spread multiplier or other formulas by which the interest rate basis is
adjusted, in the case of a Floating Rate Note; and/or |
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to extend the maturity of such Note. |
50
See Description of Debt Securities Interest and Interest Rates and Description of Debt
Securities Extendible Notes. The treatment of a holder of Notes with respect to which such an
option has been exercised who does not elect to have us repay such Notes will depend on the terms
established for such Notes by us pursuant to the exercise of such option (the revised terms).
Depending on the particular circumstances, such holder may be treated as having surrendered such
Notes for new Notes with the revised terms in either a taxable exchange or a recapitalization
qualifying for nonrecognition of gain or loss.
Notes Subject to Contingencies Including Optional Redemption
In general, the following rules apply if a Note provides for an alternative payment schedule
applicable upon the occurrence of a contingency or contingencies and the timing and amounts of the
payments that comprise each payment schedule are known as of the issue date, and one of such
payment schedules is more likely than not to occur or the Note provides us or the holder with an
unconditional option or options exercisable on one or more dates during the term of the Note. If
based on all the facts and circumstances as of the issue date a single payment schedule for a debt
instrument, including the stated payment schedule, is significantly more likely than not to occur,
then, in general, the yield and maturity of the Note are computed based on this payment schedule.
Notwithstanding the general rules for determining yield and maturity in the case of Notes
subject to contingencies, if we have or the holder has an unconditional option or options that, if
exercised, would require payments to be made on the Notes under an alternative payment schedule or
schedules, then (i) in the case of an option or options exercisable by us, we will be deemed to
exercise or not exercise an option or combination of options in the manner that minimizes the yield
on the Note and (ii) in the case of an option or options of the holder, the holder will be deemed
to exercise or not exercise an option or combination of options in the manner that maximizes the
yield on the Note. For purposes of those calculations, the yield on the Note is determined by
using any date on which the Note may be redeemed or repurchased as the stated maturity date and the
amount payable on such date in accordance with the terms of the Note as the principal amount at
maturity.
If a contingency (including the exercise of an option) actually occurs or does not occur
contrary to an assumption made according to the above rules (a change in circumstances) then,
except to the extent that a portion of the Note is repaid as a result of a change in circumstances
and solely for purposes of the accrual of original issue discount, the Note is treated as retired
and then reissued on the date of the change in circumstances for an amount equal to the Notes
adjusted issue price on that date.
In addition, the OID Regulations contain other rules for projecting payments and determining
the timing, character and amount of income, gain and loss to holders of debt instruments not
described above that provide for contingent payments, including certain Notes (other than Variable
Rate Notes) that provide for floating or contingent interest. Potential investors in Notes with
contingent payment features should review the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet for a
discussion of their U.S. federal income tax treatment.
Common Shares
In general, if distributions are made on our common shares to a U.S. holder, these
distributions will be included in income of that U.S. holder as dividends to the extent of our
current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax
principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be
treated as a nontaxable return of capital that reduce a U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the
common shares and thereafter as capital gain. Subject to certain limitations and requirements,
dividend income received by U.S. holders that are corporations will be eligible for a dividends
received deduction and there may be reduced rate provisions in effect for dividends received by
U.S. holders that are individuals.
A U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, or other taxable
disposition of our common shares in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount of
cash and the fair market value of any other property received in exchange for such common shares
and (2) the U.S. holders tax basis in the common shares. Generally, any such gain or loss will be
capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such
disposition, the U.S. holder has held the common shares for more than one year. Long-term capital
gain recognized by a non-corporate U.S. holder generally is subject to U.S. federal income tax at a
reduced rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of our
equity securities (other than our common shares) will depend on various factors, including their
terms, conversion or exchange
51
features, issue price and redemption provisions. U.S. holders should review the applicable
prospectus supplement or term sheet for a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment to
U.S. holders of any such equity securities.
Non-United States Holders
The following discussion applies only to a holder that is a beneficial owner of a Note or our
common shares described in this prospectus and that is not a United States person (a non-U.S.
holder). Special U.S. federal income tax rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders, such as
controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, certain U.S. expatriates,
and foreign persons eligible for benefits under an income tax treaty with the United States.
Interest and OID on Notes
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, payments of principal and interest
(including original issue discount) by us or our agent (in its capacity as such) to any non-U.S.
holder not engaged in a trade or business in the United States will generally not be subject to
U.S. federal withholding tax under the portfolio interest
exception, provided that, in the case of interest (including original issue
discount):
(1) such holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;
(2) such holder is not a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes
that is related to us through stock ownership;
(3) such holder is not a bank receiving interest described in Code
Section 881(c)(3)(A); and
(4) neither we nor our agent has actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is
a United States person, and either:
(a) the beneficial owner of the Note certifies to us or our agent, under penalties
of perjury, that such owner is not a United States person and provides its name and
address (which certification can be made on IRS Form W-8BEN or a suitable substitute);
or
(b) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that
holds customers securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a
financial institution) certifies to us or our agent, under penalties of perjury (which
certification can be made on IRS Form W-8IMY or a suitable
substitute), that it is a qualified intermediary and that the
certification described in clause (4)(a) above has been received from the beneficial
owner by it or by another financial institution acting for the
beneficial owner.
In the case of Notes held by a foreign partnership or foreign trust:
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the certification described in clause (4)(a) above must be provided by the partners
or beneficiaries rather than by the foreign partnership or foreign trust; and |
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the partnership or trust must provide certain information, including a United States
taxpayer identification number (which certification can be made on IRS Form W-8IMY or a
suitable substitute) and such other information as may be required if such foreign
partnership (or foreign trust) is a withholding foreign partnership (or withholding
foreign trust) that has entered into a qualified intermediary or similar agreement with
the IRS. |
A look-through rule would apply in the case of tiered partnerships.
If a non-U.S. holder of a Note fails to satisfy the requirements of the portfolio interest
exception described above, payments of interest (including original issue discount) made to such
holder generally will be subject to a 30% withholding tax (or such lower rate as may be provided by
an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and a foreign country) unless another
exemption applies and such holder complies with IRS certification requirements. In general, the
exemption or reduced rate pursuant to an income tax treaty applies only if the non-
52
U.S. holder provides a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or other documentation as may be
prescribed by the IRS claiming benefits under an applicable income
tax treaty. Any
prospective investor who cannot satisfy the portfolio interest requirements described above
should consult its independent tax advisor prior to making an investment in the Notes. In
addition, an exemption from U.S. withholding tax is available for interest on a Note held by a non-U.S.
holder not engaged in a trade or business in the United States if the Note matures not later than
183 days after the date of its original issue. Moreover, if a change in circumstances makes
information set forth on IRS Form W-8 incorrect, then the non-U.S. holder must provide new
documentation generally within thirty days.
If a non-U.S. holder of a Note is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and
interest (including original issue discount) on the Note is effectively connected with the conduct
of such trade or business, such holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (by
reason of the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI or a suitable substitute), will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest (including original issue discount) in the same
manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a United States person. In addition, if such holder is a
foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively
connected earnings and profits, as defined in the Code, for the taxable year, subject to
adjustments, unless reduced under an applicable income tax treaty.
Dividends
In general, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder in respect of common shares will be subject to
U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the non-U.S. holder are not subject to
withholding tax so long as a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI is provided by the non-U.S. holder.
Rather, dividends so connected will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as if
the non-U.S. holder was a U.S. person and, if received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation,
would also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate unless reduced under an
applicable income tax treaty.
The 30% withholding rate may be reduced if the non-U.S. holder is eligible for the benefits of
an income tax treaty that provides for a lower rate. Generally, to claim the benefits of an income
tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder of our common shares will be required to provide a properly executed
IRS Form W-8BEN and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. A non-U.S. holder of
our common shares that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax
treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim
for a refund with the IRS. A non-U.S. holder should consult its
independent tax advisor as to its
entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty.
Sale or Exchange
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any capital gain realized upon the
sale, exchange or retirement of a Note or common shares by a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to
U.S. federal income or withholding taxes unless:
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such gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
holder; or |
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in the case of an individual, such holder is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the retirement or disposition and certain other
conditions are met, or |
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in certain circumstances involving the sale of our common shares, we have been or
are a U.S. real property holding company within the meaning of the
Code. We have not been, and do not expect to become, a U.S. real
property holding company. |
Notes held by a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, who at the time of death is neither a
citizen nor a resident of the United States for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, will not be
subject to U.S. federal estate tax, provided that the income from the Notes was not or would not
have been effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such individual and that such
individual qualified for the exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax (without regard to the
certification requirements) that is described above. Common shares so held, however, will be
included in the gross estate of such non-U.S. holder for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless
an applicable estate tax treaty or exemption provides otherwise.
53
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting to U.S. tax authorities generally will apply to payments of
principal and interest and dividends, and the proceeds of a sale of securities to a U.S. holder
unless such U.S. holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding tax
will apply to such payments if such U.S. holder fails to provide its taxpayer identification number
or certification of exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income. A
non-U.S. holder in general will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting with
respect to interest or dividend payments provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to
know that such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person and such non-U.S. holder has provided the IRS
certification statement (on IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form) described above under
Non-United States Holders. In addition, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup
withholding or information reporting with respect to the proceeds of a sale of securities within
the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, if the payor
receives the IRS certification statement described above and does not have actual knowledge or
reason to know that such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, or otherwise
establishes an exemption. However, we may be required to report annually to U.S. tax authorities
and to non-U.S. holders the amount of, and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to, any interest
or dividends paid, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these
information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or
agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a
non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided any required information is furnished
timely to the IRS.
THE PRECEDING IS A DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES BUT MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON YOUR
PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF
CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
54
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities as follows:
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through agents; |
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to or through underwriters; or |
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directly to other purchasers. |
We will identify any underwriters or agents and describe their compensation in a prospectus
supplement.
We, directly or through agents, may sell, and the underwriters may resell, the offered
securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These transactions may
be:
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at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
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at negotiated prices. |
In connection with the sale of offered securities, the underwriters or agents may receive
compensation from us or from purchasers of the offered securities for whom they may act as agents.
The underwriters may sell offered securities to or through dealers, who may also receive
compensation from purchasers of the offered securities for whom they may act as agents.
Compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and
agents that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as
defined in the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us
and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.
We will indemnify the underwriters and agents against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us
or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.
If we indicate in the prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to a particular series or
issue of offered securities, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by
certain institutions to purchase such offered securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Such contracts will be subject only
to those conditions that we specify in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, and we will specify
in the prospectus supplement or term sheet the commission payable for solicitation of such
contracts.
55
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the offered securities will be passed upon for us by Mark McGuire, our General
Counsel, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington
Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Mr. McGuire is paid a salary by our company and participates in
various employee benefit plans offered by us, including equity based plans.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Eaton Corporation appearing in Eaton Corporations
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of Eaton
Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports
thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
56
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expense of Issuance and Distribution
The following is a statement of the estimated expenses (other than underwriting compensation) to be
incurred by Eaton Corporation in connection with a distribution of an assumed amount of
$1,000,000,000 of debt securities registered under this registration statement. The assumed amount
has been used to demonstrate the expenses of an offering and does not represent an estimate of the
amount of securities that may be offered or sold because such amount is unknown at this time.
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Filing fee for Registration Statement |
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$ |
39,300 |
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Legal Fees and Expenses |
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100,000 |
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Rating Agency Fees |
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351,000 |
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Blue Sky Fees and Expenses |
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5,000 |
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Printing and Engraving Fees |
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75,000 |
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Accounting Fees and Expenses |
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135,000 |
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Trustees and Depositarys Fees and Expenses |
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13,880 |
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Miscellaneous Expenses |
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10,000 |
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Total |
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$ |
729,180 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Paragraph (E) of Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code grants each corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Ohio, such as Eaton Corporation, power to indemnify its directors,
officers and other specified persons. Provisions relating to indemnification of directors and
officers of Eaton Corporation and other specified persons have been adopted pursuant to the Ohio
law and are contained in Article IV, Section 2 of Eaton Corporations Amended Regulations. Under
the Amended Regulations, Eaton Corporation shall indemnify any director, officer or other specified
person against expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by him by reason of the fact that he is or was such
director, officer or other specified person, to the full extent permitted by applicable law. The
foregoing statement is subject to, and only part of, the detailed provisions of the Ohio Revised
Code and Eaton Corporations Amended Regulations referred to herein.
Eaton Corporation has entered into Indemnification Agreements with all of its officers and
directors. The Agreements provide that Eaton Corporation shall indemnify such directors or officers
to the full extent permitted by law against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in
connection with any claim filed against them by reason of anything done or not done by them in such
capacity. The Agreements also require Eaton Corporation to maintain director and officer insurance
which is no less favorable to the director and officer than the insurance in effect on the date of
the Agreements, and to establish and maintain an escrow account of up to $10 million to fund Eaton
Corporations obligations under the Agreements, except that Eaton Corporation is required to fund
the escrow only upon the occurrence of a change of control of Eaton Corporation, as defined under
the Agreements.
Eaton Corporation also maintains insurance coverage for the benefit of directors and officers
with respect to many types of claims that may be made against them, some of which may be in
addition to those described in Section 2 of Article IV of the Amended Regulations.
Eaton Corporation and its officers, directors and controlling persons may receive
indemnification against certain liabilities pursuant to the terms of any underwriting agreement or
similar agreement entered into with respect to the Securities registered hereunder.
Item 16. Exhibits
See the index to exhibits that appears immediately following the signature pages to this
Registration Statement.
57
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement:
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To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933; |
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(ii) |
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under The Securities Act of
1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration
statement; and |
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(iii) |
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To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply if the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission
by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to
be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of
and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering
made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the
information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be
part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form
of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of
314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for
liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such
date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to
the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or
deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part
of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior
to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was
58
made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration
statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant
pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of
any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the
purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i) |
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Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of an undersigned registrant
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
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(ii) |
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Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on
behalf of an undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned
registrant; |
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(iii) |
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The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the
offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its
securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
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(iv) |
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Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an
undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of any employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
59
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, on February 27, 2009.
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EATON CORPORATION
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By: |
/s/ Richard H. Fearon
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Richard H. Fearon |
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Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
and Planning Officer |
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By: |
/s/ THOMAS E. MORAN
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Thomas E. Moran |
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Senior Vice President and Secretary |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
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Date |
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* |
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Alexander M. Cutler
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; |
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President; (Principal Executive Officer); |
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Director |
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* |
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Richard H. Fearon
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Vice Chairman and Chief Financial and
Planning Officer; (Principal Financial
Officer) |
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* |
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Billie K. Rawot
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Vice President and Controller; (Principal
Accounting Officer) |
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* |
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Christopher M. Connor
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Director |
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* |
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Michael J. Critelli
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Director |
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* |
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Charles E. Golden
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Director |
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* |
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Ernie Green
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Director |
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* |
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Arthur E. Johnson
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Director |
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* |
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Ned C. Lautenbach
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Director |
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* |
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Deborah L. McCoy
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Director |
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* |
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John R. Miller
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Director |
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* |
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Gregory R. Page
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Director |
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* |
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Victor A. Pelson
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Director |
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*By /s/Lizbeth
L. Wright |
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Lizbeth L. Wright,
Attorney-in-Fact |
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for the officers
and directors |
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signing in the
capacities indicated |
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60
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Exhibit Description |
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*1 |
(a) |
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Form of Underwriting Agreement (or similar agreement) and Underwriting
Agreement Basic Provisions. |
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*4 |
(a) |
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|
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Senior Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as
Chemical Bank). |
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*4 |
(b) |
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Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note. |
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4 |
(c) |
|
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Amended Articles of Incorporation (amended and restated as of April 24, 2008),
filed as an exhibit to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference. |
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|
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4 |
(d) |
|
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Amended Regulations (amended and restated as of April 23, 2008), filed as an
exhibit to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference. |
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*5 |
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Opinion of Mark McGuire, our General Counsel, as to validity of the Securities. |
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*8 |
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Tax Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP. |
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12 |
|
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Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, filed as an exhibit to the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and
incorporated herein by reference. |
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*23 |
(a) |
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. |
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*23 |
(b) |
|
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Consent of Mark McGuire, our General Counsel (included in Exhibit 5). |
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*24 |
|
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Power of Attorney. |
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*25 |
(a) |
|
|
|
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A. with respect to the
Senior Indenture. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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*25 |
(b) |
|
|
|
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A. with respect to the
Subordinated Indenture. |
61