Document

Exhibit 4.17
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES


As of December 31, 2020, OFS Capital Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) had two classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended: (1) our common stock and (2) our debt securities.


Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Annual Report on Form 10-K to which this Description of Securities is attached as an exhibit.


A.Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share


As of December 31, 2020, the authorized capital stock of OFS Capital Corporation consisted of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “OFS.”


Common Stock


All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will not be able to elect any directors.


Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Delaware law and by our certificate of incorporation to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series.


Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws


Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses


The indemnification of our officers and directors is governed by Section 145 of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the current DGCL or as the DGCL may hereafter be amended. DGCL Section 102(b)(7) provides that the personal liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director may be eliminated except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to unlawful payment of distributions or unlawful stock purchases or redemption of stock or (d) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.


Our bylaws provide for the indemnification of any person to the full extent permitted by law as currently in effect or as may hereafter be amended. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers in order to effect the foregoing.


Delaware Anti-Takeover Law


The DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to











discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.


Classified Board of Directors


Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.


Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies


Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than four nor more than eight. Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The limitations on the ability of our stockholders to fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, control of us.


Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors.


Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals


Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (b) pursuant to our notice of meeting or (c) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only by or at the direction of the board of directors, and provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.


The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.


Action by Stockholders


Under the DGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which our certificate of incorporation does not). These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposed until the next annual meeting.


Stockholder Meetings


Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by the chairman of the board, the vice chairman of the board, the president, the board of











directors or stockholders who own of record a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock entitled to vote at the meeting. In addition, our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of candidates for election to the board of directors.
Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to the secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholder meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.


Conflict with 1940 Act


Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the DGCL or any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.


B. Debt Securities


As of December 31, 2020, we had four series of debt securities outstanding: 6.25% Notes due 2023, 6.375% Notes due 2025, 6.50% Notes due 2025, and 5.95% Notes due 2026. Each series is discussed in further detail below. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on February 10, 2021, we issued the $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% notes due February 2026 ("February 2026 Notes"). The February 2026 Notes will mature on February 10, 2026, and we may redeem the February 2026 Notes in whole or in part at any time, or from time to time, at our option at par plus a “make-whole” premium, if applicable. The February 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.75% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2021.


 The net proceeds we received from the sale of the February 2026 Notes was approximately $96.6 million based on a public offering price of of 98.906% of the aggregate principal amount of the February 2026 Notes, after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions payable by us and estimated offering expenses payable by us. In connection with, and using the proceeds from the issuance of the February 2026 Notes, on February 10, 2021, we caused notices to be issued to the holders of the April 2025 Notes (as defined herein) and the holders of the October 2025 Notes (as defined herein) regarding our exercise of our option to redeem all of the issued and outstanding April 2025 Notes and October 2025 Notes. We will redeem all $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the April 2025 Notes and all $48.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the October 2025 Notes on March 12, 2021 (the "Redemption Date"). The April 2025 Notes and the October 2025 Notes will be redeemed at 100% of their principal amount ($25 per Note), plus the accrued and unpaid interest thereon from January 31, 2021, through, but excluding, the Redemption Date.


In April 2018, we issued $50,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of notes due April 2025 (the “April 2025 Notes”). The April 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year payable quarterly on January 31, April 31, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing July 31, 2018. The April 2025 Notes are issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The April 2025 Notes were issued under a certain Indenture, dated April 16, 2018 (the “Base Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated April 16, 2018 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”). As of December 31, 2020, we had $50,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of April 2025 Notes outstanding. The April 2025 Notes are scheduled to mature on April 30, 2025. Additionally, the April 2025 Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and are subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance by us. We have listed the April 2025 Notes on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “OFSSL.” As discussed above, we will redeem all $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the April 2025 Notes on March 12, 2021.


In October 2018, we issued $48,525,000 in aggregate principal amount of notes due October 2025 (the “October 2025 Notes”). The October 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.50% per year payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2019. The October 2025 Notes are issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The October 2025 Notes were issued under the Base Indenture, by and between the Company and the Trustee, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated October 16, 2018 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”). As of December 31, 2020, we had $48,525,000 in aggregate principal amount of October 2025 Notes outstanding. The October 2025 Notes are scheduled to mature on October 30, 2025. Additionally, the October 2025 Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and are subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance by us. We have listed the October 2025 Notes on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “OFSSZ.” As discussed above, we will redeem all $48.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the October 2025 Notes on March 12, 2021.


In October 2019, we issued $54,325,000 in aggregate principal amount of notes due October 2026 (the “October 2026 Notes”, and collectively with the April 2025 Notes and the October 2025 Notes, the “Notes”). The October 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.95% per year payable quarterly on January 31, April 31, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing 








January 31, 2020. The October 2026 Notes are issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The October 2026 Notes were issued under the Base Indenture, by and between the Company and the Trustee, as supplemented by the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated October 15, 2019 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture”, and collectively with the Base Indenture, the First Supplemental Indenture, and the Second Supplemental Indenture, the “Indentures”). As of December 31, 2020, we had $54,325,000 in aggregate principal amount of October 2026 Notes outstanding. The October 2026 Notes are scheduled to mature on October 31, 2026. Additionally, the October 2026 Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and are subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance by us. We have listed the October 2026 Notes on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “OFSSI.”


In September 2020, we issued $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of notes due September 2023 (the “September 2023 Notes”, and collectively with the April 2025 Notes, the October 2025 Notes and the October 2026 Notes, the “Notes”). The September 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.25% per year payable quarterly on January 31, April 31, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing January 31, 2021. The September 2023 Notes are issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The September 2023 Notes were issued under the Base Indenture, by and between the Company and the Trustee, as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 18, 2020 (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture”, and collectively with the Base Indenture, the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, and the Third Supplemental Indenture, the “Indentures”). As of December 31, 2020, we had $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of September 2023 Notes outstanding. The September 2023 Notes are scheduled to mature on September 30, 2023. Additionally, the September 2023 Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and are subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance by us. We have listed the September 2023 Notes on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “OFSSG.”


General


For purposes of this exhibit, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the Notes will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the Notes.











The Indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the Indentures, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the Indentures, are called the “Indenture Securities.” The Indentures also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of Indenture Securities. See “Resignation of Trustee” section below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the Indentures, each with respect to only certain series, the term “Indenture Securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the Indentures, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in the applicable prospectus supplement will extend only to the one or more series of Indenture Securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the Indentures, then the Indenture Securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate Indentures.


We have the ability to issue Indenture Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to 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.


We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book entry only form represented by global securities. 


When we refer to “you” in this exhibit, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered under the Indentures, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.


Global Securities


The Notes were issued as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.


Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.


A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “- Termination of a Global Security.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.


Special Considerations for Global Securities


As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.


If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:


•an investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below;
•an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities;
•an investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;
•an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;











•the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;
•if we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series;
•an investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the applicable trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee;
•DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book-entry system use immediately available funds; your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security; and
•financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities; there may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor; we do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.


Termination of a Global Security


If a global security is terminated for any reason, interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders.


The applicable prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the investors in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.


Payment and Paying Agents


We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often approximately two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. 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. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”


Payments on Global Securities


We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.


Payment when Offices are Closed


If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the Indentures as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the Indentures, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.


Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.











Events of Default
You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the Notes and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.


The term “Event of Default” in respect of our debt securities means any of the following (unless the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities states otherwise):


•we do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, any of the Notes on the due dates, and do not cure this default within five days;
•we do not pay interest on the Notes when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days;
•we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of the Notes on the due date, and do not cure this default within five days;
•we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of the Notes 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 at least 25% of the principal amount of the respective series of Notes;
•we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days;
•on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, we have an asset coverage of less than 100%; and
•any other Event of Default in respect of the Notes as described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.


An Event of Default for a particular series of Notes does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of Notes issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of Notes of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.


Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs


If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least 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. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. In certain circumstances, a declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.


The trustee is not required to take any action under the Indentures at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). 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 circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.


Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:


•the holder must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured;
•the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;
•the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity; and
•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 that 60 day period.


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.


Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than:











•the payment of principal, any premium or interest; or
•in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.


Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.


Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the Indentures and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.


Merger or Consolidation


Under the terms of the Indentures, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We may also be permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, unless the prospectus supplement relating to certain debt securities states otherwise, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:


•where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities;
•immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing;
•under the Indentures, no merger or sale of assets may be made if as a result any of our property or assets or any property or assets of one of our subsidiaries, if any, would become subject to any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance unless either (a) the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to the limitation on liens covenant in the Indentures without equally and ratably securing the Indenture Securities or
(b) the Indenture Securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance;
•we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and
•we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the Notes.


Modification or Waiver


There are three types of changes we can make to the Indentures and the debt securities issued thereunder.


Changes Requiring Approval


First, there are changes that we cannot make to debt securities without specific approval of all of the holders. The following is a list of those types of changes:


•change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security;
•reduce any amounts due on a debt security;
•reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;
•adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;
•change the place (except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement) or currency of payment on a debt security;
•impair your right to sue for payment;
•adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;
•modify the subordination provisions in the Indentures in a manner that is adverse to holders of the debt securities;
•reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the Indentures;
•reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or to waive certain defaults;
•modify any other aspect of the provisions of the Indentures dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and
•change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.




Changes Not Requiring Approval











The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the 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. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the Indentures after the change takes effect.


Changes Requiring Majority Approval


Any other change to the Indentures and the debt securities would require the following approval:


•if the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series; and
•if the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.


The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “- Changes Requiring Approval.”


Further Details Concerning Voting


When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:


•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 these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default;
•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; and
•for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, 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 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 - Full Defeasance.”


We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding Indenture Securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the Indentures. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding Indenture Securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.


Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the Indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.


Defeasance


The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.


Covenant Defeasance


Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the Indentures under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions as described under the “Indenture Provisions - Subordination” section below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:











▪if the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates;
▪we must 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 at maturity; and
▪we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.


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 is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.


Full 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 of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:


•if the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates;
•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 IRS ruling that allows us to 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 at maturity. 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 were 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; and
•we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.


If we ever did accomplish full 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 unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Indenture Provisions - Subordination.”


Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities


The Notes are represented by global securities that were deposited and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee.
Beneficial interests in the Notes are represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Notes through either DTC, if they are a participant, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC.


Resignation of Trustee


Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Indenture Securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of Indenture Securities under the Indentures, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.


Indenture Provisions - Subordination











Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Indenture Securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the Indentures in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on senior indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.


In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all senior indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the senior indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the senior indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the senior indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the senior indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all senior indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the senior indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the senior indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.


By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The Indentures provide that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the Indentures.


Senior indebtedness is defined in the Indentures as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:


•our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than Indenture Securities issued under the Indentures and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and
•renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.


The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.


The Trustee under the Indenture


U.S. Bank National Association will serve as the trustee under the Indentures.