# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001090009
**File Stem:** 0001206774-26-000068
**Filing Date:** 2026-2
**Character Count:** 815932
**Document Hash:** c1de02d663e787175e315a2ac20269ee
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001206774-26-000068.hdr.sgml**: 20260206

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001206774-26-000068

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-3

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 21

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260206

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260206

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001090009
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 582459561
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** SC
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-3
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-293279
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26608315

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 6 VERDAE BOULEVARD
- **CITY:** GREENVILLE
- **STATE:** SC
- **ZIP:** 29607
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 8646799000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 6 VERDAE BOULEVARD
- **CITY:** GREENVILLE
- **STATE:** SC
- **ZIP:** 29607

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** GREENVILLE FIRST BANCSHARES INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19990707

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2026

Registration Statement No. 333-_________

**UNITED STATES** 

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** 

**Washington, D.C. 20549** 

_______________________

**Form S-3** 

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT** 

***UNDER***

***THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933***

_______________________

**SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________________

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**South Carolina** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**58-2459561** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;(State or other jurisdiction of<br> incorporation or organization) | &nbsp;&nbsp;(I.R.S. Employer Identification<br> Number) |

---

**6 Verdae Boulevard**

**Greenville, South Carolina 29607**

**(864) 679-9000**

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

**R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.**

**Chief Executive Officer**

**Southern First Bancshares, Inc.**

**6 Verdae Boulevard**

**Greenville, South Carolina 29607**

**(864) 679-9000** 

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

including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

**Benjamin A. Barnhill**

**Brittany M. McIntosh**

**Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP**

**2 W. Washington Street, Suite 400**

**Greenville, South Carolina 29601**

**(864) 373-2246**

**Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale 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. ☐

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer □ Accelerated filer ⌧ <br> Non-accelerated filer □ Smaller reporting company □ <br> Emerging growth company □

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

**The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.**

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

**The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is included in a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.**

**Subject to Completion dated February 6, 2026**

**PROSPECTUS**

![](sfst4592841-s3.jpg)

**$125,000,000**

**Debt Securities**

**Preferred Stock**

**Depositary Shares**

**Common Stock**

**Purchase Contracts**

**Units**

**Warrants**

**Rights**

**___________________**

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. ("we," "us," "our" or the "Company") may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of debt and equity securities that we describe in this prospectus. The aggregate amount of the securities offered by us under this prospectus will not exceed $125,000,000. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Shares of our common stock are traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SFST". The closing sale price of our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market on February 4, 2026 was $58.24 per share.

We may sell the securities to underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to investors, or a combination of these methods. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents, any applicable commissions, discounts or other compensation thereof, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense in the United States.**

**These securities are not deposits or other obligations of any of our bank subsidiaries and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.**

**Investing in our securities involves risks. You should refer to the section entitled "*Risk Factors*" beginning on page 3 of this prospectus, as well as any risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and the risk factors contained in certain of our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference herein, and carefully consider that information before buying our securities.**

**___________________**

This prospectus is dated February 6, 2026.

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

Prospectus

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [About this Prospectus](#a_001) | [1](#a_001) |
| [Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference](#a_002) | [2](#a_002) |
| [Risk Factors](#a_003) | [3](#a_003) |
| [Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements](#a_004) | [4](#a_004) |
| [Prospectus Summary](#a_005) | [7](#a_005) |
| [Southern First Bancshares, Inc.](#a_006) | [9](#a_006) |
| [Use of Proceeds](#a_007) | [9](#a_007) |
| [Plan of Distribution](#a_008) | [9](#a_008) |
| [Description of Debt Securities](#a_009) | [12](#a_009) |
| [Description of Preferred Stock](#a_010) | [19](#a_010) |
| [Description of Depositary Shares](#a_011) | [21](#a_011) |
| [Description of Common Stock](#a_012) | [25](#a_012) |
| [Description of Purchase Contracts](#a_013) | [26](#a_013) |
| [Description of Units](#a_014) | [26](#a_014) |
| [Description of Warrants](#a_015) | [26](#a_015) |
| [Description of Rights](#a_016) | [28](#a_016) |
| [Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Articles of Incorporation Provisions](#a_017) | [29](#a_017) |
| [Validity of Securities](#a_018) | [30](#a_018) |
| [Experts](#a_019) | [30](#a_019) |
| [Where You Can Find More Information](#a_020) | [30](#a_020) |

---

i

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

**ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS**

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may issue and sell to the public, either separately or together, any part or all of the securities described herein, at any time and from time to time, in one or more public offerings, up to an aggregate amount of $125,000,000 of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, purchase contracts, units (which may consist of two or more securities), warrants, or rights. We may also issue common stock or preferred stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any of the securities mentioned above. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities and the offering. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, any documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and/or in any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" before making an investment decision.

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the SEC website mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" below.

We may sell the securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; (c) directly to one or more purchasers; or (d) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept and to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. See "Plan of Distribution" below. A prospectus supplement (or pricing supplement) will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any applicable fee, commission, or discount arrangements with them.

**You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement (or pricing supplement) and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We will disclose any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement (or pricing supplement) or a future filing with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated in this prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. We take no responsibility for, and provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than those to which it relates, or an offer or solicitation with respect to those securities to which it relates to any person in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The delivery of this prospectus at any time does not imply that the information contained or incorporated herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.**

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

**INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE**

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information included directly in this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, and any such filings that we make after the date of this prospectus but before the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, except to the extent that any information contained in such filings is deemed "furnished" in accordance with SEC rules (unless otherwise indicated therein):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended [December 31, 2024](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000099/sfst4401651-10k.htm) filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025
(including the portions of our definitive proxy statement on [Schedule 14A](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000204/sfst4401641-def14a.htm) , filed with the SEC on April 7, 2025, incorporated by reference
therein);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended [March 31, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000343/sfst4475771-10q.htm) filed with the SEC on May 5,
2025; for the quarter ended [June 30, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000538/sfst4514911-10q.htm) filed with the SEC on August 1, 2025; and for the quarter ended [September 30, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000738/sfst4552801-10q.htm) filed with
the SEC on October 31, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on [January 24, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000023/sfst4432101-8k.htm) ; [January 28, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000031/sfst4432111-8k.htm) ; [March 13, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000126/sfst4454491-8k.htm) ; [April 22, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000242/sfst4472061-8k.htm) ; [May 21, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000374/sfst4489311-8k.htm) ; [June 2, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000386/sfst4493361-8k.htm) ; [June 18, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000420/sfst4500601-8k.htm) ; [July 22, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000458/sfst4512731-8k.htm) ; [October 28, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677425000731/sfst4551931-8k.htm) ; and [January 22, 2026](http://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677426000043/sfst4585581-8k.htm) ;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the description of our common stock set forth in [Exhibit 4.2](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677420000670/sfb35772717-ex42.htm) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purposes of updating
such description.

We will provide a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus to any person, including a beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request. Written requests for copies should be directed to Attn: R. Arthur Seaver, Jr., Southern First Bancshares, Inc., 6 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, South Carolina 29607. Telephone requests for copies should be directed to Mr. Seaver at (864) 679-9000.

We maintain an Internet website at <u>www.southernfirst.com</u> where the incorporated reports listed above can be accessed. Neither this website nor the information on this website is included or incorporated in, or is a part of, this prospectus.

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**RISK FACTORS**

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please see the "Risk Factors" section in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates to those risk factors in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with any other filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations, our financial results and the value of the securities. The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of securities we offer may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under that prospectus supplement.

[**Table of Contents**](#toc)

**SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS**

Statements included in this prospectus, including information incorporated herein by reference, which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words "may," "will," "anticipate," "should," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "could," "seek to," "strive," "focus," "predict," "project," "potential," "assume," and "intend," as well as other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting our judgment based on current information and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and we cannot predict all such risks or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the matters described in the "Risk Factors" of this prospectus and the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Restrictions or conditions imposed by our regulators on our operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries, including competition
from regional and national banks, credit unions, online-only institutions, and non-bank financial technology firms offering alternative
deposit, lending, and payments solutions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in access to funding or increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding, which could
impair our liquidity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in deposit flows, which may be negatively affected by a number of factors, including rates paid
by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns available to clients on alternative investments
and general economic or industry conditions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in U.S. monetary policy, the level and volatility of interest rates, the capital markets and
other market conditions that may affect, among other things, our liquidity and the value of our assets and liabilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Credit losses as a result of declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing unemployment,
changes in payment behavior or other factors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Credit losses due to loan concentration;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in the amount of our loan portfolio collateralized by real estate and weaknesses in the real
estate market;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Our ability to successfully execute our business strategy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Our ability to attract and retain key personnel;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· The success and costs of our expansion into the Charlotte, North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina
and Atlanta, Georgia markets and into potential new markets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Risks with respect to future mergers or acquisitions, including our ability to successfully expand and
integrate the businesses and operations that we acquire and realize the anticipated benefits of such mergers or acquisitions or due to
a protracted period of elevated interest rates that increases funding costs and pressures borrower performance;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Continued changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins,
including due to the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates to stimulate economic growth;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including new governmental
initiatives affecting the financial services industry;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in economic conditions resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes occurring in business conditions and inflation, including the impact of persistent inflation
on our operating costs, borrower operating expenses and repayment ability;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Increased cybersecurity risk, including potential business disruptions or financial losses, including
potential business disruptions or financial losses arising from sophisticated cyber-attacks, ransomware, fraud (including fraud facilitated
by advances in artificial intelligence ("AI")), system failures, or breaches involving third-party vendors or service providers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in technology, including the need to invest in new digital platforms, such as AI;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· The adequacy of the level of our allowance for credit losses and the amount of loan loss provisions
required in future periods;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Examinations by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities
may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses or write-down assets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· The rate of delinquencies and amounts of loans charged-off;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Any increase in FDIC assessments which will increase our cost of doing business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· The rate of loan growth in recent years and the lack of seasoning of a portion of our loan portfolio;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Our ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital and to comply with our capital ratio requirements;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations and the related impact on our financial statements;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Risks associated with actual or potential litigation or investigations by customers, regulatory agencies
or others;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Adverse effects of failures by our vendors to provide agreed upon services in the manner and at the
agreed cost;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Risks associated with complex and changing regulatory environments, including, among others, with respect
to data privacy, AI, information security, climate change or other environmental, social and governance matters, and labor matters, relating
to our operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· The potential effects of events beyond our control that may have a destabilizing effect on financial
markets and the economy, such as trade disputes and tariffs, epidemics and pandemics, war or terrorist activities, such as the war in
Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and the conflict between China and Taiwan, disruptions in our customers' supply chains, disruptions
in transportation, essential utility outages, government shutdowns, and disruptions caused from widespread cybersecurity incidents; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Annual
Reports on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports
filed with the SEC.

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Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements are incorporated by reference under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and may be described in any prospectus supplement and in the "Risk Factors" and other sections of the documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other reports filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those anticipated. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we do not intend, and assume no obligation, to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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**PROSPECTUS SUMMARY**

Under the shelf registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate of $125,000,000 of securities described in this prospectus, consisting of any combination of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· debt securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· depositary shares;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· common stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· purchase contracts;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· units;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· warrants; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· rights.

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. The following summary describes the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement.

**Debt Securities**

We may offer several different types of debt securities. For any particular debt securities that we offer, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the debt securities, and will include for each series of debt securities, the offering price, designation, priority, aggregate principal amount (including whether determined by reference to an index), currency, denomination, premium, maturity, interest rate (including whether fixed, floating or otherwise), time of payment of any interest, any terms for mandatory or optional redemption and other terms. We will issue senior and subordinated debt under separate indentures to be entered into by and between us and a bank or trust company, or other qualified trustee, that we select to act as trustee. Debt securities may be convertible into shares of our common stock or preferred stock, as described in a prospectus supplement.

**Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares**

We may offer preferred stock in one or more series. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe for each series of preferred stock offered, the specific designation of the series offered; the aggregate number of shares offered; the rate and periods, or manner of calculating the rate and periods, for dividends, if any; the stated value and liquidation preference amount, if any; the redemption, liquidation and voting rights, if any; and any other specific terms. We may also offer depositary shares, each of which would represent an interest in a fractional share of preferred stock. We will issue the depositary shares under one or more deposit agreements to be entered into between us and one or more depositaries.

**Common Stock**

We may offer shares of our common stock, and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such offer.

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**Purchase Contracts**

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities at one or more future dates. The purchase price for the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Any purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares or amount of securities issuable pursuant to such purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.

The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units with one or more other securities. These contracts, and the holders' obligations to purchase securities under the purchase contracts, may be secured by cash, certificates of deposit, U.S. government securities that will mature prior to or simultaneously with the maturity of the purchase contract, standby letters of credit from an FDIC-insured bank or other collateral. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders (or vice versa), and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis.

Any one or more of the foregoing securities, the purchase contracts and any related collateral may be pledged as security for the holders' obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities under the purchase contracts.

**Units**

We also may offer two or more of the securities described in this prospectus in the form of a "unit," including pursuant to a unit agreement. The units may be transferable only as a whole, or the securities comprising a unit may, as described in the prospectus supplement, be separated and transferred by the holder separately. There may or may not be an active market for units or the underlying securities, and not all the securities comprising a unit may be listed or traded on a securities exchange or market.

**Warrants**

We may offer warrants to purchase our senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock or any combination of these securities, either independently or together with any other securities. For any particular warrants we offer, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the underlying securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the expiration date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the exercise price or the manner of determining the exercise price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the amount and kind, or the manner of determining the amount and kind, of securities to be delivered
upon exercise;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the date after which the warrants are separately transferable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any provisions for adjustments in the exercise price or the number of securities issuable upon exercise
of the warrants; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any other specific terms.

We may issue the warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and one or more warrant agents. The warrant agents will act solely as our agents in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or on behalf of holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

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**Rights**

We may offer rights to our existing shareholders to purchase additional shares of our common stock or any series of our preferred stock. For any particular rights offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of such rights, including the period during which the rights may be exercised, the manner of exercising the rights, the transferability of the rights, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased in connection with each right and the subscription price for the purchase of such common stock or preferred stock. In connection with a rights offering, we may enter into a separate agreement with one or more underwriters or standby purchasers to purchase any shares of our common stock or preferred stock not subscribed for in the rights offering by existing shareholders, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**Listing**

If any securities are to be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system, the applicable prospectus supplement will so indicate. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market and trades under the symbol "SFST".

**SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.**

We are a bank holding company incorporated in March 1999 under the laws of South Carolina and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. We serve as the bank holding company for Southern First Bank (the "Bank"), a South Carolina state bank. Through the Bank, we offer a wide range of traditional banking products and services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses throughout our primary market areas of Greenville, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina; Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia, including commercial, consumer and mortgage lending, as well as deposit and other banking services. The Bank is a commercial bank with eight retail offices located in the Greenville, Columbia and Charleston markets of South Carolina, three retail offices located in the Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte markets of North Carolina, and one retail office in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, we opened our Dream Mortgage Center, a loan production office, located in Columbia, South Carolina during 2023.

We serve these markets through a client-focused structure called "ClientFIRST," which is structured to deliver superior client service via relationship teams that provide each client with a specific banker contact and a consistent support team responsible for all of the client's banking needs. We believe this model provides us with a distinct competitive advantage by enabling us to build and maintain long-term relationships with desirable clients.

Our principal executive offices are located at 6 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, South Carolina 29607. Our telephone number is (864) 679-9000.

Additional information about us is included in our filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference" in this prospectus.

**USE OF PROCEEDS**

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt and related interest, working capital, capital expenditures, possible acquisitions, investments, and any other purposes that we may specify in any prospectus supplement. We may invest the net proceeds temporarily until we use them for their stated purpose, and we may not achieve a favorable return on such investments.

**PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION**

We may sell securities offered under this prospectus:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· through underwriters or dealers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· through agents;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· directly to one or more purchasers; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

Underwriters, dealers or agents may distribute the securities by any method permitted by law, including through electronic or online systems.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time, or at negotiated prices. For each type and series of securities offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including, without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the public offering price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the purchase price of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the use of proceeds to us from the sale of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any underwriting discounts, agency fees, or other compensation payable to underwriters or agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or repaid to dealers; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed, if any.

If underwriters are used in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. If we use underwriters in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters will buy the securities for their own account. The underwriters may then resell the securities in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or thereafter. The underwriters may sell the securities directly or through underwriting syndicates managed by managing underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Any such underwriter will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also reimburse the underwriter or agent for certain fees and legal expenses incurred by it as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In connection with any offering of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

Underwriters or agents may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), with respect to our common stock, which includes sales made directly on The NASDAQ Global Market, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. Any at-the-market offering will be effected pursuant to a sales agreement between us and one or more sales agents, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we use dealers in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the securities will be sold to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. If agents are used in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, they will generally use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. If securities

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offered under this prospectus are sold directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in any distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions or profit they receive when they resell the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We expect that any agreements we may enter into with underwriters, dealers and agents will include provisions indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or providing for contributions with respect to payments that they may be required to make.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities offered under this prospectus from us on a future date at a specific price. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts.

Sales of securities offered under this prospectus also may be effected by us from time to time in one or more types of transactions (which may, without limitation, include block transactions, special offerings, exchange distributions, secondary distributions, purchases by a broker or dealer, or other direct sales by us to one or more purchasers) on The NASDAQ Global Market or any other national securities exchange or automated trading and quotation system on which our common stock or other securities are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges and systems or the over-the-counter market, including negotiated transactions, through options transactions relating to the shares, or a combination of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.

Each issue of a new series of debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts, units, warrants and rights will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. It has not been established whether the underwriters, if any, of the securities offered under this prospectus will make a market in these securities. If a market in any series of debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts, units, warrants and rights is made by any such underwriters, such market-making may be discontinued at any time without notice. We can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market of these securities.

In order to facilitate the offering of any of the securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters with respect to any such offering may, as described in the prospectus supplement, engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in these securities for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of these securities or of any other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, these securities or any other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities offered under this prospectus through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing these securities in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of these securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, one or more firms, which we refer to as "remarketing firms," acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us, may offer and sell the securities offered under this prospectus as part of a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with their terms. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements with us to indemnification by or contribution from us against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Any person participating in the distribution of securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of such securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed. All of the above may affect the marketability of the securities offered under this prospectus and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to such securities.

Under the securities law of various states, the securities offered under this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in various states the securities offered under this prospectus may not be offered and sold unless such state securities have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

**SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER**

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, purchase contracts, units, warrants, and rights that we may offer from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement (and, if applicable, a pricing supplement). The prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities described in this prospectus.

**DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES**

We may issue senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities will be issued under separate indentures to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, or other trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, which we select to act as trustee. A copy of the form of each indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We use the term "indentures" to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. The indentures may be modified by one or more supplemental indentures, which we will file with the SEC and incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The following description, and any description in a prospectus supplement, is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the terms and provisions of the indentures and any supplemental indentures that we file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of any series of debt securities. You should read all of the provisions of the indentures, including the definitions of certain terms, as well as any supplemental indentures that we file with the SEC in connection with the issuance of any series of debt securities. These summaries set forth certain general terms and provisions of the securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The specific terms and provisions of a series of debt securities and the extent to which the general terms and provisions may also apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Since we are a holding company, our right, and accordingly, the right of our creditors and shareholders, including the holders of the securities offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, to participate in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon its liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that our claims as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized.

**Terms of the Securities**

Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, the following general terms and provisions will apply to the debt securities. The securities will not be secured by any of our assets. Neither the indentures nor the

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securities will limit or otherwise restrict the amounts of other indebtedness which we may incur, or the amount of other securities that we may issue. Although the total amount of debt securities we may offer under this prospectus will be limited to $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, the indentures do not limit the principal amount of any particular series of securities. All of the securities issued under each of the indentures will rank equally and ratably with any additional securities issued under the same indenture. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated as described below under "Subordination."

Each prospectus supplement will specify the particular terms of the securities offered. These terms may include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the title of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the priority of payments on the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the issue price or prices (which may be expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount)
of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the date or dates, or the method of determining the dates, on which the securities will mature;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the interest rate or rates of the securities, or the method of determining those rates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the interest payment dates, the dates on which payment of any interest will begin and the regular record
dates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· whether the securities will be issuable in temporary or permanent global form and, if so, the identity
of the depositary for such global security, or the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary or permanent global security will
be paid;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any terms relating to the conversion of the securities into our common stock or preferred stock or other
securities offered hereby, including, without limitation, the time and place at which such securities may be converted, the conversion
price and any adjustments to the conversion price and any other provisions that may be applicable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any covenants that may restrict our ability to create, assume or guarantee indebtedness for borrowed
money that is secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance, that condition or restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with any
other person or to sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any other person or that otherwise impose restrictions
or requirements on us;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any sinking fund or similar provisions applicable to the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any mandatory or optional redemption provisions applicable to the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the denomination or denominations in which securities are authorized to be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· whether any of the securities will be issued in bearer form and, if so, any limitations on issuance
of such bearer securities (including exchanges for registered securities of the same series);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· information with respect to book-entry procedures;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· whether any of the securities will be issued as original issue discount securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· each office or agency where securities may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the method of determining the amount of any payments on the securities which are linked to an index;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments on the securities will be payable,
and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· if other than the trustee, the identity of the registrar and/or paying agent;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any defeasance of certain obligations by us pertaining to the series of securities; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any other specific terms of the securities, which terms may modify or delete any provision of the applicable
indenture insofar as it applies to the securities offered; provided, that no terms of the indentures may be modified or deleted if they
are required under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of an indenture
trustee shall have been consented to in writing by the trustee.

Some of our debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates and will be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will also contain any special tax, accounting or other information relating to original issue discount securities or relating to certain other kinds of securities that may be offered, including securities linked to an index.

**Acceleration of Maturity**

If an event of default in connection with any outstanding series of securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount due and payable immediately. If the securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of those securities may declare the portion of the principal amount specified in the terms of that series of securities to be due and payable immediately. In either case, a written notice may be given to us, and to the trustee, if notice is given by the holders instead of the trustee. Subject to certain conditions, the declaration of acceleration may be revoked, and past defaults (except uncured payment defaults and certain other specified defaults) may be waived, by the holders of not less than a majority of the principal amount of securities of that series.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to each series of securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the maturity upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

**Registration and Transfer**

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of the offered securities will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. The indentures will also allow us to issue the securities in bearer form only, or in both registered and bearer form. Any securities issued in bearer form will have interest coupons attached, unless they are issued as zero-coupon securities. Securities in bearer form will not be offered, sold, resold or delivered in connection with their original issuance in the United States or to any United States person other than to offices of certain United States financial institutions located outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities we are offering will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the securities, but we may require payment of an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

**Payment and Paying Agent**

We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of a designated paying agent. At our option, payment of interest on fully registered securities may also be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the securities are registered on the days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement.

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We will pay principal, interest and any premium on bearer securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of a designated paying agent or agents outside of the United States. Payments will be made at the offices of the paying agent in the United States only if the designated currency is U.S. dollars and payment outside of the United States is illegal or effectively precluded. If any amount payable on a security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release any unclaimed amounts, and the holder of the security or coupon will look only to us for payment.

The designated paying agent in the United States for the securities we are offering will be set forth in the applicable indenture and/or the applicable prospectus supplement.

**Global Securities**

The securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates ("Global Securities") that will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement. Global Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. All Global Securities in bearer form will be deposited with a depositary outside the United States. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for individual certificates evidencing securities in definitive form represented thereby, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of that depositary or by a nominee of that depositary to a depositary or another nominee of that depositary.

The specific terms of the depositary arrangements for each series of securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**Modification and Waiver**

Each indenture provides that modifications and amendments may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· change the stated maturity date of the security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· reduce the principal amount, any rate of interest, or any additional amounts in respect of any security,
or reduce the amount of any premium payable upon the redemption of any security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· change the time or place of payment, currency or currencies in which any security or any premium or
interest thereon is payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· impair the holders' rights to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the
stated maturity date of any security, or in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· reduce the percentage in principal amount of securities required to consent to any modification, amendment
or waiver under the indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· modify, except under limited circumstances, any provision of the applicable indenture relating to modification
and amendment of the indenture, waiver of compliance with conditions and defaults thereunder or the right of a majority of holders to
take action under the applicable indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· adversely affect any rights of conversion;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· in the case of the subordinated indenture, alter the provisions regarding subordination of the subordinated
debt securities in any way that would be adverse to the holders of those securities;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· reduce the principal amount of original issue discount securities which could be declared due and payable
upon an acceleration of their maturity; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· change our obligation to pay any additional amounts.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of any series may waive compliance by us and the trustee with certain provisions of the applicable indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the principal, or any premium, interest, or additional amounts payable on a security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision which under the terms of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or amended, without the consent of each affected holder.

With the trustee, we may modify and amend any indenture without the consent of any holder for any of the following purposes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to name a successor entity to us;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to add to the events of default;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount,
terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of securities, as set forth in the applicable indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to establish the form or terms of securities of any series and any related coupons;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to make provision for the conversion rights of the holders of the securities in certain events;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the applicable indenture, provided that such action
is not inconsistent with the provisions of that indenture and does not adversely affect the interests of the applicable holders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of any indenture to conform to our, or the trustee's,
obligations under the applicable indenture to the Trust Indenture Act; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· to make any other changes that apply only to debt securities to be issued thereafter.

**Calculation of Outstanding Debt Securities**

To calculate whether the holders of a sufficient principal amount of the outstanding securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under any indenture:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· In the case of original issue discount securities, the principal amount that may be included in the
calculation is the amount of principal that would be declared to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration according to the
terms of that original issue discount security as of the date of the calculation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Any securities owned by us, or owned by any other obligor of the securities or any affiliate of ours
or any other obligor, should be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for purposes of the calculation.

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**Additional Provisions**

Other than the duty to act with the required standard of care during an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the securities, unless the holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnification. Each indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding securities of any series may, in certain circumstances, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee.

No holder of a security of any series will have the right to institute any proceeding for any remedy under the applicable indenture, unless:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the holder has provided the trustee with written notice of a continuing event of default regarding the
holder's series of securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding securities of a series have made
a written request, and offered indemnity satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute a proceeding for remedy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the trustee has not received directions during such 60-day period inconsistent with such request from
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series.

However, the holder of any security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal, any premium, any interest or any additional amounts in respect of such security on or after the date expressed in such security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment. We are required to file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default or specifying any default that exists.

**Transactions with the Trustee**

We and our subsidiaries may maintain deposit accounts and conduct various banking and other transactions with an indenture trustee. The trustee and its subsidiaries may maintain deposit accounts and conduct various banking transactions with us and our subsidiaries.

**Conversion Rights**

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any convertible debt securities will describe the terms on which those securities are convertible.

**Events of Default**

The following will be events of default under the senior indenture with respect to the senior debt securities of a series:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· failure to pay any interest or any additional amounts on any senior debt security of that series when
due, and continuance of such default for 30 days;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· failure to pay principal of, or any premium on, any senior debt security of that series when due;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for a senior debt security of that series when due;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· failure to perform any of our other covenants or warranties in the senior indenture or senior debt securities
(other than a covenant or warranty included in that indenture solely for the benefit of a

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different series of senior debt securities), which has continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the senior indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· acceleration of indebtedness in a principal amount specified in a supplemental indenture for money borrowed
by us under the senior indenture, and the acceleration is not annulled, or the indebtedness is not discharged, within a specified period
after written notice is given according to the senior indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or Southern First Bank; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any other event of default regarding that series of senior debt securities.

Unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, events of default under the subordinated indenture are limited to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or Southern First Bank.

There is no right of acceleration of the payment of principal of a series of subordinated debt securities upon a default in the payment of principal or interest, nor upon a default in the performance of any covenant or agreement in the subordinated debt securities of a particular series or in the applicable indenture. In the event of a default in the payment of interest or principal, the holders of senior debt will be entitled to be paid in full before any payment can be made to holders of subordinated debt securities. However, a holder of a subordinated debt security (or the trustee under the applicable indenture on behalf of all of the holders of the affected series) may, subject to certain limitations and conditions, seek to enforce overdue payments of interest or principal on the subordinated debt securities.

**Subordination**

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally among themselves and with all of our other unsecured and non-subordinated debt, if any.

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth below, to the prior payment in full of all of the Company's senior debt, as more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If any of the following circumstances have occurred, payment in full of all principal, premium, if any, and interest must be made or provided for with respect to all outstanding senior debt before we can make any payment or distribution of principal, premium, if any, any additional amounts or interest on the subordinated debt securities:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding relating
to us or to our property has been commenced;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up relating to us has been commenced,
whether or not such event involves our insolvency or bankruptcy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any of our subordinated debt security of any series is declared or otherwise becomes due and payable
before its maturity date because of any event of default under the subordinated indenture, provided that such declaration has not been
rescinded or annulled as provided in the subordinated indenture; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any default with respect to senior debt which permits its holders to accelerate the maturity of the
senior debt has occurred and is continuing, and either (a) notice of such default has been given to us and to the trustee and judicial
proceedings are commenced in respect of such default within 180 days after notice in the case of a default in the payment of principal
or interest, or within 90 days after notice in the case of any other default, or (b) any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to
any such default.

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**DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK**

For purposes of this section, the terms "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

The following summarizes the general provisions of the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, which we may offer from time to time. The specific terms of a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The following description of the preferred stock and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the articles of amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation relating to the particular series of preferred stock, a copy of which we will file with the SEC in connection with the sale of any series of preferred stock (or incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

**General**

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, to adopt resolutions providing for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of our preferred stock are issued and outstanding.

Our board of directors may fix the voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series of preferred stock that we may offer.

In addition, as described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, instead of offering full shares of any series of preferred stock, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such depositary shares.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will contain a description of the specific terms of that series, including, as applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the title, designation, number of shares and stated or liquidation value of the preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the dividend amount or rate or method of calculation, the payment dates for dividends and the place
or places where the dividends will be paid, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative, and, if cumulative, the dates from
which dividends will begin to accrue;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any conversion or exchange rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· whether the preferred stock will be subject to redemption and the redemption price and other terms and
conditions relative to the redemption rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any liquidation rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any sinking fund provisions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any voting rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the exchange or market, if any, where the preferred stock will be listed or traded; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions that are not inconsistent with
the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation.

Upon the issuance and payment for shares of preferred stock, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable. Except as may otherwise be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of

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preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire any class or series of our capital stock and the relative ranking of any series of preferred stock (including with respect to dividends and distributions upon liquidation) will be as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the applicable articles of amendment.

The authorization of the preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult or time-consuming for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise effect a change of control. Shares of the preferred stock may also be sold to third parties that indicate that they would support the board of directors in opposing a hostile takeover bid. The availability of the preferred stock could have the effect of delaying a change of control and of increasing the consideration ultimately paid to our shareholders. The board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock for capital-raising activities, acquisitions, joint ventures or other corporate purposes that have the effect of making an acquisition of the Company more difficult or costly, as could also be the case if the board of directors were to issue additional common stock for such purposes. See "Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Articles of Incorporation Provisions."

**Redemption**

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option, and may be mandatorily redeemable or convertible. Restrictions, if any, on the repurchase or redemption by us of any series of our preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series. Generally, any redemption of our preferred stock will be subject to applicable regulatory requirements, which may include prior notice to, or approval from, the Federal Reserve or other regulators. Any partial redemption of a series of preferred stock would be made in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series.

Upon the redemption date of shares of preferred stock called for redemption or upon our earlier call and deposit of the redemption price, all rights of holders of the preferred stock called for redemption will terminate, except for the right to receive the redemption price.

**Dividends**

Holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends only when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for dividends. The rates or amounts and dates of payment of dividends will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our board of directors may not declare, pay or set apart funds for payment of dividends on a particular series of preferred stock unless full dividends on any other series of preferred stock that ranks equally with or senior to such series of preferred stock with respect to the payments of dividends have been paid or sufficient funds have been set apart for payment for either of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· all prior dividend periods of each such series of preferred stock that pay dividends on a cumulative
basis; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the immediately preceding dividend period of each such series of preferred stock that pays dividends
on a noncumulative basis.

Partial dividends declared on shares of any series of preferred stock and other series of preferred stock ranking on an equal basis as to dividends will be declared pro rata. A pro rata declaration means that the ratio of dividends declared per share to accrued dividends per share will be the same for all series of preferred stock of equal priority.

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**Liquidation Preference**

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, holders of each series of preferred stock will have the right to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on our common stock or on any securities ranking junior to such preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.

However, holders of the shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to receive the liquidation price of their shares until we have paid or set aside an amount sufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference of any class or series of our capital stock ranking senior as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither a consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation nor a merger of another corporation with or into the Company nor a sale or transfer of all or part of the Company's assets for cash or securities will be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

If the liquidation amounts payable to holders of preferred stock of all series ranking on a parity regarding liquidation are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of these series will have the right to a ratable portion of our available assets up to the full liquidation preference. Holders of these series of preferred stock or such other securities will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

**Conversion and Exchange** 

The prospectus supplement will indicate whether and on what terms the shares of any future series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class, series or security of the Company or any other corporation or any other property (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted). It will also indicate for preferred stock convertible into common stock, the number of shares of common stock to be reserved in connection with, and issued upon conversion of, the preferred stock (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted) at the option of the holder or our option and the period during which conversion or exchange may occur.

**Voting Rights**

The holders of shares of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· as otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· as otherwise stated in the articles of amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation
establishing the series of such preferred stock; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· as otherwise required by applicable law.

**Transfer Agent and Registrar**

The transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and depositary, if any, for any preferred stock offering will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES**

The following briefly summarizes the general provisions of the depositary shares representing a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specific series, or "depositary shares," and depositary receipts (as defined below) that we may issue from time to time. The specific terms of any depositary shares or depositary receipts, including pricing and related terms, will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also

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state whether any of the general provisions summarized below apply or not to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the deposit agreement(s), which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of depositary shares (or incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

**Description of Depositary Shares**

We may offer depositary shares evidenced by receipts for such depositary shares, which we sometimes refer to as "depositary receipts." Each depositary receipt represents a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will deposit the shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares according to the provisions of a deposit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, which we will select as our preferred stock depositary, and which may be the same institution that serves as an indenture trustee. The depositary must have its principal office in the United States and have combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. These rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary will send the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications that we deliver to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of depositary shares. We may issue depositary receipts in temporary, definitive or book-entry form.

**Withdrawal of Preferred Stock**

A holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the holder's depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the surrendered depositary shares exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock the holder wishes to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once the holder has withdrawn the preferred stock, the holder will not be entitled to re-deposit such preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary shares in exchange for such preferred stock.

**Dividends and Other Distributions**

Holders of depositary shares of any series will receive their pro rata share of cash dividends or other cash distributions received by the depositary on the preferred stock of that series held by it. Each holder will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holder. The depositary will distribute only whole United States dollars and cents. The depositary will add any fractional cents not distributed to the next sum received for distribution to record holders of depositary shares. In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

**Redemption of Depositary Shares**

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, then we will give the required funds to the depositary. The depositary will then redeem the depositary shares using the funds it received from us for the preferred stock. The depositary will notify the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption at the holders' addresses appearing in the depositary's books. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price payable per share for the applicable series of the preferred stock and any other amounts per share payable with respect to that series of preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. Whenever we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary

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will redeem the depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock on the same day. If fewer than all the depositary shares of a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot, ratably or by such other equitable method as we and the depositary may determine.

Upon and after the redemption of shares of the underlying series of preferred stock, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding. Therefore, all rights of holders of the depositary shares will then cease, except that the holders will still be entitled to receive any cash payable upon the redemption and any money or other property to which the holder was entitled at the time of redemption.

**Voting Rights**

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock of the related series are entitled to vote, the depositary will notify holders of depositary shares of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to the holders. The record date for determining holders of depositary shares that are entitled to vote will be the same as the record date for the related series of preferred stock. The materials the holders will receive will (1) describe the matters to be voted on and (2) explain how the holders, on a certain date, may instruct the depositary to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date specified. The depositary will attempt, as far as practical, to vote the shares as instructed by the holder. We will cooperate with the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed by holders of depositary shares. If any holder does not instruct the depositary how to vote the holder's shares, the depositary will abstain from voting those shares.

**Conversion or Exchange**

The depositary will convert or exchange all depositary shares on the same day that the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is converted or exchanged. In order for the depositary to do so, we will deposit with the depositary any other preferred stock, common stock or other securities into which the preferred stock is to be converted or for which it will be exchanged.

The exchange or conversion rate per depositary share will be equal to the exchange or conversion rate per share of preferred stock, multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. All amounts per depositary share payable by us for dividends that have accrued on the preferred stock to the exchange or conversion date that have not yet been paid shall be paid in appropriate amounts on the depositary shares.

The depositary shares, as such, cannot be converted or exchanged into other preferred stock, common stock, securities of another issuer or any other of our securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a holder of depositary shares may be able to surrender the depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions asking the depositary to instruct us to convert or exchange the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into other shares of preferred stock or common stock or to exchange the preferred stock for securities of another issuer. If the depositary shares carry this right, we would agree that, upon the payment of applicable fees and taxes, if any, we will cause the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock using the same procedures as we use for the delivery of preferred stock. If a holder is only converting part of the depositary shares represented by a depositary receipt, new depositary receipts will be issued for any depositary shares that are not converted or exchanged.

**Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement**

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt without consent of the holder at any time. However, if the amendment adds or increases fees or charges payable by holders of the depositary shares or prejudices an important right of holders, it will only become effective with the approval of holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. If an amendment becomes effective, holders are deemed to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement if they continue to hold their depositary receipts.

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The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed and all amounts payable upon redemption have been
paid;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· each share of preferred stock held by the depositary has been converted into or exchanged for common
stock, other preferred stock or other securities; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock held by the depositary has been made to the holders
of depositary receipts in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.

We may also terminate the deposit agreement at any time. Upon such event, the depositary will give notice of termination to the holders not less than 30 days before the termination date. Once depositary receipts are surrendered to the depositary, it will send to each holder the number of whole and fractional shares of the series of preferred stock underlying that holder's depositary receipts, provided that, at our election we may pay cash in lieu of fractional shares of preferred stock that may be issuable.

**Charges of Depositary and Expenses**

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges in connection with the establishment of the depositary arrangements. We will pay all charges and fees of the depositary for the initial deposit of the preferred stock, the depositary's services and redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and the charges that are provided in the deposit agreement to be for the holder's account.

**Limitations on Our Obligations and Liability to Holders of Depositary Receipts**

The deposit agreement will limit our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It will also limit our liability and the liability of the depositary as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· We and the depositary will only be obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit
agreement in good faith;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· We and the depositary will not be liable if either is prevented or delayed by law or circumstances beyond
our or its control from performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· We and the depositary will not be liable if either exercises discretion permitted under the deposit
agreement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· We and the depositary will have no obligation to become involved in any legal or other proceeding related
to the depositary receipts or the deposit agreement on behalf of the holders of depositary receipts or any other party, unless we and
the depositary are provided with satisfactory indemnity; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· We and the depositary will be permitted to rely upon any written advice of counsel or accountants and
on any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party.

In the deposit agreement, we will agree to indemnify the depositary under certain circumstances.

**Resignation and Removal of Depositary**

The depositary may resign at any time by notifying us of its election to do so. In addition, we may remove the depositary at any time. Such resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary, and it accepts the appointment. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal, and the new depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

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**DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK**

For purposes of this section, the terms "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

The following description of shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified by reference to, applicable provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws to review all of the terms of our common stock.

**General**

As of the date of this prospectus, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that we may issue up to 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share. As of January 31, 2026, 8,216,328 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SFST".

**Voting Rights**

Each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of common shareholders, including the election of directors. The holders of our common stock possess exclusive voting power, except as otherwise provided by law or by articles of amendment establishing any series of our preferred stock.

There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. The holders of a majority of the votes cast by our common shareholders can elect all of the directors then standing for election by the common shareholders. When a quorum is present at any meeting, questions brought before the meeting will be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present and voting on such matter, whether in person or by proxy, except when the meeting concerns matters requiring the vote of a greater number of affirmative votes under applicable South Carolina law or our amended and restated articles of incorporation. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide certain provisions that may limit shareholders' ability to effect a change in control as described under the section below entitled "Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Articles of Incorporation Provisions." In addition, our bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders generally may be called by specified officers or a majority of the board, and (if and to the extent required by applicable law) upon the written demand of holders of at least 10% of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter(s) to be considered at the meeting.

**Dividends, Liquidation and Other Rights**

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if approved by our board of directors, from funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntarily or involuntarily, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any series of our preferred stock that may then be outstanding.

Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Our board of directors may issue additional shares of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock without the approval of our shareholders.

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**Transfer Agent and Registrar**

Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, our common stock may be transferred without any restrictions or limitations. Our bylaws permit the board of directors (and, in certain cases, shareholders) to impose restrictions on the transfer of shares to the maximum extent permitted by law. The transfer agent and registrar for shares of our common stock is Computershare.

**DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS**

We also may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities may be fixed at the time that the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Any purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.

The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units consisting of a purchase contract, debt securities and preferred stock or depositary shares. These contracts, and the holders' obligations to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities under the purchase contracts may be secured by cash, certificates of deposit, U.S. government securities that will mature prior to or simultaneously with, the maturity of the purchase contract, standby letters of credit from an affiliated U.S. bank that is FDIC-insured or other collateral as may be specified in the applicable purchase contract or unit agreement. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders of the purchase units, or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis.

Any one or more of the above securities, common stock or the purchase contracts or other collateral may be pledged as security for the holders' obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common stock or preferred stock under the purchase contracts, in each case as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**DESCRIPTION OF UNITS**

We also may offer two or more of the securities described in this prospectus in the form of a "unit", including pursuant to a unit agreement. The units may be transferable only as a whole, or the securities comprising a unit may, as described in the prospectus supplement, be separated and transferred by the holder separately. There may or may not be an active market for units or the underlying securities, and not all the securities comprising a unit may be listed or traded on a securities exchange or market. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units and any applicable unit agreement.

**DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS**

For purposes of this section, the terms "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

**General**

We may issue warrants in one or more series to purchase senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock or any combination of these securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or on behalf of holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summarizes some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement are not complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement, which we will file with the SEC in connection with the issuance of any warrants (or incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants, including the following, as may be applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the title of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the total number of warrants to be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the consideration for which we will issue the warrants, including the applicable currency or currencies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be
delivered upon exercise of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the designation and terms of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the price at which and the currency or currencies in which investors may purchase the underlying securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· whether the warrants will be in registered or bearer form;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· information with respect to book-entry registration and transfer procedures, if any;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number
of warrants issued with each underlying security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the date on and after which the warrants and securities issued with the warrants will be separately
transferable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· the identity of the warrant agent; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange,
transfer and exercise of the warrants.

Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be exercised at the warrant agent's corporate trust office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares will not have any rights of holders of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise, including any rights to vote such shares or to receive any distributions or dividends thereon.

**Exercise of Warrants**

A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be

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exercised at any time prior to the close of business on the expiration date and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon and after the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void and have no further force, effect or value.

**Enforceability of Rights**

The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us to enforce their rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of their warrants.

**DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS**

For purposes of this section, the terms "we", "our", and "us" refer only to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

The following briefly summarizes the general provisions of rights that we may offer to purchase additional shares of our common stock or any series of preferred stock, which we may issue. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the rights, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of rights to holders of our common stock or any series of our preferred stock (or incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part). The specific terms of any rights, including the period during which the rights may be exercised, the manner of exercising such rights, and the transferability of rights, will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. Although we may issue rights, in our sole discretion, we have no obligation to do so.

**General**

We may distribute rights, which may or may not be transferable, to the holders of our common stock or any series of our preferred stock as of a record date set by our board of directors, at no cost to such holders. Each holder will be given the right to purchase a specified number of whole shares of our common stock or preferred stock for every share of our common stock or a series of preferred stock that the holder owned on such record date, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, no fractional rights or rights to purchase fractional shares will be distributed in any rights offering. The rights will be evidenced by rights certificates, which may be in definitive or book-entry form. Each right will entitle the holder to purchase shares of our common stock or a series of preferred stock at a rate and price per share to be established by our board of directors, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If holders of rights wish to exercise their rights, they must do so before the expiration date of the rights offering, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon the expiration date, the rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable, unless, in our sole discretion prior to the expiration date, we extend the rights offering.

**Exercise Price**

Our board of directors will determine the exercise price or prices for the rights based upon a number of factors, including, without limitation, our business prospects; our capital requirements; the price or prices at which an underwriter or standby purchasers may be willing to purchase shares that remain unsold in the rights offering; and general conditions in the securities markets, especially for securities of financial institutions. The exercise price may or may not reflect the actual or long-term fair value of the common stock or preferred stock offered in the rights offering. We provide no assurances as to the market values or liquidity of any rights issued, or as to whether or not the market prices of the common stock or preferred stock subject to the rights will be more or less than the rights' exercise price during the term of the rights or after the rights expire.

**Exercising Rights; Fees and Expenses**

The manner of exercising rights will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any subscription agent or escrow agent will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay all fees charged by any subscription agent and escrow agent in connection with the distribution and exercise of rights. Rights holders will be

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responsible for paying all other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with their transfer of rights that are transferable. Neither we nor the subscription agent will pay such expenses.

**Expiration of Rights**

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the expiration date and time ("Expiration Date") for exercising rights. If holders of rights do not exercise their rights prior to such time, their rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable and will have no value.

We will extend the Expiration Date as required by applicable law and may, in our sole discretion, extend the Expiration Date. If we elect to extend the Expiration Date, we will issue a press release announcing such extension prior to the scheduled Expiration Date.

**Withdrawal and Termination**

We may withdraw the rights offering at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason. We may terminate the rights offering, in whole or in part, at any time before completion of the rights offering if there is any judgment, order, decree, injunction, statute, law or regulation entered, enacted, amended or held to be applicable to the rights offering that in the sole judgment of our board of directors would or might make the rights offering or its completion, whether in whole or in part, illegal or otherwise restrict or prohibit completion of the rights offering. We may waive any of these conditions and choose to proceed with the rights offering even if one or more of these events occur. If we terminate the rights offering, in whole or in part, all affected rights will expire without value, and all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned promptly without interest.

**Rights of Subscribers**

Holders of rights will have no rights as shareholders with respect to the shares of common stock or preferred stock for which the rights may be exercised until they have exercised their rights by payment in full of the exercise price and in the manner provided in the prospectus supplement, and such shares of common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, have been issued to such persons. Holders of rights will have no right to revoke their subscriptions or receive their monies back after they have completed and delivered the materials required to exercise their rights and have paid the exercise price to the subscription agent. All exercises of rights are final and cannot be revoked by the holder of rights.

**Regulatory Limitations**

We will not be required to issue any person or group of persons shares of our common stock or preferred stock pursuant to the rights offering if, in our sole opinion, such person would be required to give prior notice to or obtain prior approval from, any state or federal governmental authority to own or control such shares if, at the time the rights offering is scheduled to expire, such person has not obtained such clearance or approval in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to us.

**Standby Agreements**

We may enter into one or more separate agreements with one or more standby underwriters or other persons to purchase, for their own account or on our behalf, any shares of our common stock or preferred stock not subscribed for in the rights offering. The terms of any such agreements will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

**ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION PROVISIONS**

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to herein as our articles, contain certain provisions that make it more difficult to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, open market purchase, a proxy fight or otherwise. These provisions are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our directors. We believe that, as a general rule, the interests of our shareholders would be best served if any change in control results from negotiations with our directors.

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In addition, our bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders generally may be called only by our chief executive officer, president, chairman of the board, or a majority of our board of directors. The bylaws also provide that, to the extent required by applicable law, we must hold a special meeting if holders of at least ten percent of all votes entitled to be cast on an issue proposed to be considered at such meeting deliver a proper written demand to our secretary. These provisions may make it more difficult for shareholders (or a potential acquiror) to convene a special meeting to consider actions related to a change in control.

The authorization of the preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult or time-consuming for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise effect a change of control. Shares of the preferred stock may also be sold to third parties that indicate that they would support the board of directors in opposing a hostile takeover bid. The availability of the preferred stock could have the effect of delaying a change of control and of increasing the consideration ultimately paid to our shareholders. The board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock for capital-raising activities, acquisitions, joint ventures or other corporate purposes that have the effect of making an acquisition of us more difficult or costly, as could also be the case if the board of directors were to issue additional common stock for such purposes.

The South Carolina business combinations statute provides that a 10% or greater shareholder of a resident domestic corporation generally may not engage in a "business combination" (as defined in the statute) with such corporation for a period of two years following the date on which the shareholder became a 10% shareholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the corporation's board of directors before the shareholder became a 10% shareholder. The statute further restricts business combinations after the two-year period unless certain approvals are obtained or certain statutory price and procedural conditions are satisfied. We have not elected to opt out of the application of this statute, and accordingly it applies to us.

South Carolina law also contains "control share acquisition" provisions that, subject to certain exceptions, can restrict voting rights for shares acquired above specified ownership thresholds unless voting rights are approved by the corporation's shareholders. Our articles include a provision electing not to be governed by the South Carolina control share acquisition statute, and accordingly those provisions do not apply to us.

None of our shares, whether common or preferred, have any preemptive rights, redemption privileges, sinking fund privileges or conversion rights.

**VALIDITY OF SECURITIES**

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters with respect to the securities will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP. Any underwriters will be represented by their own legal counsel.

**EXPERTS**

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Elliott Davis, LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such report is incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

**WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION**

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and file with the SEC proxy statements, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SEC's web site at *www.sec.gov* or on our website at *www.southernfirst.com* under the "Investor Relations" tab. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities offered hereby. For further information, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits filed with the SEC. Statements in this prospectus about the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to herein are not necessarily complete. In each case, we refer you to the copy of the applicable document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

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**PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS**

**Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution**

The following is an itemized statement of the estimated fees and expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| SEC registration fee | $**11752** |
| Legal fees and expenses | $\* |
| Printing and mailing | $\* |
| Accounting fees and expenses | $\* |
| Miscellaneous | $\* |
| Total | $\* |

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________________

\* These fees are not presently known and cannot be estimated at this time, as they will be based upon, among other things, the amount and type of security being offered as well as the number of offerings.

**Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers**

Under our bylaws, each of our directors has the right to be indemnified by us to the maximum extent permitted by law against (i) reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or arbitration action, suit or proceeding seeking to hold the director liable by reason of his or her actions in such capacity and (ii) reasonable payments made by the director in satisfaction of any judgment, money decree, fine, penalty or settlement for which he or she became liable in such action, suit or proceeding. This right to indemnification includes the right to the advancement of reasonable expenses by us, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Under our bylaws, each of our officers who are not directors is entitled to the same indemnification rights, including the right to the advancement of reasonable expenses, which are provided to our directors.

Pursuant to the South Carolina Business Corporation Act (the "SCBCA"), a South Carolina corporation has the power to indemnify its directors and officers provided that they act in good faith and reasonably believe that their conduct was lawful and in the corporate interest (or not opposed thereto), as set forth in the SCBCA. Under the SCBCA, unless limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she is or was a director or officer, against reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceeding. Our articles of incorporation do not contain any such limitations. The SCBCA permits a corporation to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of an action, suit or proceeding only upon (i) the director's or officer's certification that he or she acted in good faith and in the corporate interest (or not opposed thereto), (ii) the director or officer furnishing a written undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet this standard of conduct, and (iii) a determination that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under the SCBCA.

Under our articles of incorporation, no director will be liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

The SCBCA also empowers a corporation to provide insurance for directors and officers against liability arising out of their positions, even though the insurance coverage may be broader than the corporation's power to indemnify. We maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers.

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**Item 16. Exhibits**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Exhibit** |
| 1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities\*\* |
| 1.2 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares\*\* |
| 1.3 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock\*\* |
| 1.4 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Purchase Contracts\*\* |
| 1.5 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Units\*\* |
| 1.6 | Form of Standby Underwriting Agreement for Rights\*\* |
| 3.1 | [Amended and Restated Articles, as amended, of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (effective May 30, 2024) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2024)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677424000719/sfst4359601-ex3_1.htm) |
| 3.2 | [Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company's Form 10-K filed March 24, 2008)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000109000908000023/ex3-4.htm) |
| 3.3 | [Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2020)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677420003003/sfb3823841-ex31.htm)<br>|
| 3.4 | [Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws dated January 20, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2026)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001090009/000120677426000043/sfst4585581-ex31.htm) |
| 4.1 | [Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on July 27, 1999)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000095014499009181/0000950144-99-009181.txt) |
| 4.2 | See Exhibits [3.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677424000719/sfst4359601-ex3_1.htm), [3.2](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000109000908000023/ex3-4.htm), [3.3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677420003003/sfb3823841-ex31.htm), and [3.4](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677426000043/sfst4585581-ex31.htm) for provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, which define the rights of the shareholders |
| 4.3 | [Description of the Company's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934](sfst4592841-ex43.htm) |
| 4.4 | Form of Articles of Amendment Establishing a Series of Preferred Stock\*\* |
| 4.5 | [Form of Senior Indenture](sfst4592841-ex45.htm) |
| 4.6 | Form of Senior Note\*\* |
| 4.7 | [Form of Subordinated Indenture](sfst4592841-ex47.htm) |
| 4.8 | Form of Subordinated Debt Security\*\* |
| 4.9 | Form of Unit Agreement\*\* |
| 4.10 | Form of Warrant Agreement\*\* |
| 4.11 | Form of Rights Agreement\*\* |
| 4.12 | [Form of Deposit Agreement](sfst4592841-ex412.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 4.13 | Form of Purchase Contract Agreement\*\* |
| 4.14 | [Form of Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.12)](sfst4592841-ex412.htm) |
| 5.1 | [Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP](sfst4592841-ex51.htm) |
| 8.1 | Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as to certain U.S. federal income tax matters\*\* |
| 23.1 | [Consent of Elliott Davis, LLC](sfst4592841-ex231.htm) |
| 23.2 | [Consent of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)](sfst4592841-ex51.htm) |
| 24.1 | [Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)](#a_021) |
| 25.1 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility to act as trustee under the Senior Indenture\* |
| 25.2 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility to act as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture\* |
| 107 | [Filing Fee Table](sfst4592841-ex107.htm) |

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\* To be filed separately pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 305(b)(2)

\*\* To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated by reference

**Item 17. Undertakings**

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in 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.

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which 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 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, as amended, 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:

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

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) 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.

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

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, 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.

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**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 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 Greenville, State of South Carolina, on February 6, 2026.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.** | **SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.** | **SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.** |
| By: | /s/ R. ARTHUR SEAVER, JR. | /s/ R. ARTHUR SEAVER, JR. |
|  | Name: | R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. |
|  | Title: | Chief Executive Officer |

---

Know all men by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. and Christian J. Zych, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement (and any post-effective amendments thereto) effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposed as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that said attorney-in-fact, agent or his substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below in the City of Greenville, State of South Carolina, on February 6, 2026.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name**  | **Capacity**  | **Signature**  |
| R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. | Chief Executive Officer; Director<br> (Principal Executive Officer) | /s/ R. ARTHUR SEAVER, JR. |
| Christian J. Zych | Chief Financial Officer<br> (Principal Financial Officer) | /s/ CHRISTIAN J. ZYCH |
| Julie A. Fairchild | Chief Accounting Officer<br> (Principal Accounting Officer) | /s/ JULIE A. FAIRCHILD |
| James B. Orders, III | Chairman of the Board of Directors | /s/ JAMES B. ORDERS, III |
| Andrew B. Cajka, Jr. | Director | /s/ ANDREW B. CAJKA, JR. |
| Jennifer S. Cluverius | Director | /s/ JENNIFER S. CLUVERIUS |
| Mark A. Cothran | Director | /s/ MARK A. COTHRAN |
| Leighton M. Cubbage | Director | /s/ LEIGHTON M. CUBBAGE |
| Anne S. Ellefson | Director | /s/ ANNE S. ELLEFSON |
| David G. Ellison | Director | /s/ DAVID G. ELLISON |
| Darrin Goss, Sr. | Director | /s/ DARRIN GOSS, SR. |
| Terry Grayson-Caprio | Director | /s/ TERRY GRAYSON-CAPRIO |
| Tecumseh Hooper, Jr. | Director | /s/ TECUMSEH HOOPER, JR. |
| Rudolph G. Johnstone, III, M.D. | Director | /s/ RUDOLPH G. JOHNSTONE, III, M.D. |
| Ray A. Lattimore | Director | /s/ RAY A. LATTIMORE |
| Anna T. Locke | Director | /s/ ANNA T. LOCKE |
| William A. Maner, IV | Director | /s/ WILLIAM A. MANNER, IV |
| William M. McClatchey, Jr. | Director | /s/ WILLIAM M. MCCLATCHEY, JR. |

---

## Exhibit 4.3

**Exhibit 4.3**

**DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.'S SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

References to "we," "us" or "our" and the "Company" herein refer to Southern First Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina corporation.

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended (the "Articles of Incorporation"), and our amended and restated bylaws (the "Bylaws"), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We encourage you to read the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as incorporated by reference, and the applicable provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, as currently in effect.

**General**

Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of capital stock consisting of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.Shares of common stock may be issued from time to time pursuant to equity compensation arrangements, including stock options and restricted stock awards, as well as for other corporate purposes as determined by the board of directors.

Pursuant to the provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, any outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company reacquired by it would be considered authorized but unissued shares. The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for general purposes, including, but not limited to, the possible issuance as stock dividends, use in connection with mergers or acquisitions, cash dividend reinvestments, stock purchase plans, public or private offerings, or our equity compensation plans. Except as may be required by applicable law or to approve a merger or other transaction in which additional authorized shares of common stock would be issued, no shareholder approval will be required for the issuance of those shares.

**Common Stock** 

***General***

Each share of common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects to, each other share of common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SFST".

***Voting Rights***

Each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of common shareholders, including the election of directors. The holders of our common stock possess exclusive voting power, except as otherwise provided by law or by articles of amendment establishing any series of our preferred stock.

There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. The holders of a plurality of the votes cast by our common shareholders can elect all of the directors then standing for election by the common shareholders. When a quorum is present at any meeting, questions brought before the meeting will be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present and voting on such matter, whether in person or by proxy, except when the meeting concerns matters requiring the vote of a greater number of affirmative votes under applicable South Carolina law or our Articles of Incorporation. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide certain provisions that may limit shareholders' ability to effect a change in control as described under the section below entitled "Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions."

***Dividends, Liquidation and Other Rights***

We can pay dividends if, as and when declared by our board of directors, subject to compliance with limitations imposed by law. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if, approved by our board of directors from funds legally available for the payment of dividends. If we issue preferred stock, the holders of such preferred stock may have a priority over the holders of common stock with respect to dividends.

Our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntarily or involuntarily, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any series of our preferred stock that may then be outstanding.

Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Our board of directors may issue additional shares of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock without the approval of our shareholders.

***Transfer Agent and Registrar***

Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, our common stock may be transferred without any restrictions or limitations. The transfer agent and registrar for shares of our common stock is Computershare, Inc.

**Preferred Stock**

Our board of directors, without shareholder approval, is empowered to authorize the issuance, in one or more series, of shares of preferred stock at such times, for such purposes and for such consideration as it may deem advisable. Our board of directors is also authorized to fix, before the issuance thereof, the designation, voting, conversion, preference and other relative rights, qualifications and limitations of any such series of preferred stock. Accordingly, our board of directors, without shareholder approval, may authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, under certain circumstances, discourage an attempt by others to gain control of the Company.

The creation and issuance of any series of preferred stock, and the relative rights, designations and preferences of such series, if and when established, will depend on, among other things, our future capital needs, then existing market conditions and other factors that, in the judgment of our board of directors, might warrant the issuance of preferred stock.

The Company does not currently have any shares of preferred stock outstanding, and none are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

**Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions**

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, in addition to the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, contain certain provisions that make it more difficult to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, open market purchase, a proxy fight or otherwise. Several of these provisions are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that, as a general rule, the interests of our shareholders would be best served if any change in control results from negotiations with our board of directors.

The following description of certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that may have anti-takeover effects is a summary only and is subject to, and is qualified by reference to, applicable provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws as well as applicable provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act.

***Factors to be Considered in Certain Transactions***

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that, in discharging the duties of their respective positions and in determining what is in the best interests of the Company, the board of directors, committees of the board of directors, and individual directors may consider the interests of our employees, customers, suppliers, creditors, and other constituencies of the Company and its subsidiaries, the communities and geographical areas in which we and our subsidiaries operate or are located, and all other factors such directors consider pertinent in addition to the interests of our shareholders, to the extent permitted by South Carolina law.

 ****

***Limitation of Personal Liability of Directors***

Our Articles of Incorporation provide for the elimination or limitation of personal director liability for monetary damages to the maximum extent allowed by South Carolina law.

 ****

***Indemnification of Directors and Officers and Insurance***

Our Bylaws provide for the indemnification of any current and former directors to the fullest extent authorized by law. We may advance reasonable expenses to directors, provided that if required by law, such advancement of expenses shall only be made if the director seeking such advancement provides us with a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she met the standard of conduct required by law and a written undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet that standard of conduct. Our Bylaws further provide that we may, to the extent authorized from time to time by our board of directors, grant rights of indemnification and the advancement of expenses to any officer, employee or agent of the Company consistent with the other provisions of our Bylaws concerning the indemnification and advancement of expenses to our directors.

Our Bylaws provide that we may maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and any director, officer, employee or agent of ours or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under applicable law.

 **

***Authorized but Unissued Preferred Stock***

 **

The authorization of the preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult or time-consuming for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise effect a change of control. Shares of the preferred stock may also be sold to third parties that indicate that they would support the board of directors in opposing a hostile takeover bid. The availability of the preferred stock could have the effect of delaying a change of control and of increasing the consideration ultimately paid to our shareholders. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock for capital-raising activities, acquisitions, joint ventures or other corporate purposes that have the effect of making an acquisition of us more difficult or costly, as could also be the case if the board of directors were to issue additional common stock for such purposes.

***Business Combinations with Interested Shareholders***

The South Carolina business combinations statute provides that a 10% or greater shareholder of a South Carolina domestic corporation cannot engage in a "business combination" (as defined in the statute) with such corporation for a period of two years following the date on which the 10% shareholder became such, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of such corporation's board of directors before the 10% shareholder's share acquisition date. This statute further provides that at no time (even after the two-year period subsequent to such share acquisition date) may the 10% shareholder engage in a business combination with the relevant corporation unless certain approvals of the board of directors or disinterested shareholders are obtained or unless the consideration given in the combination meets certain minimum standards set forth in the statute. The law is very broad in its scope and is designed to inhibit unfriendly acquisitions, but it does not apply to corporations whose articles of incorporation contain a provision electing not to be covered by the law. Our Articles of Incorporation do not contain such a provision, though our Articles of Incorporation could be amended to include such a provision.

***Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations***

Our Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals. Our Bylaws generally provide that, in connection with an annual meeting of shareholders, a shareholder generally must submit notice of such shareholder's proposal not less than 30 or more than 60 days in advance of the annual meeting. In connection with any such notice, a shareholder must provide certain information, including: (i) a description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting (including the specific proposal(s) to be presented) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and record address of the shareholder proposing such business; (iii) the class and number of shares of the Company that are owned of record, and the class and number of shares of the Company that are held beneficially, but not held of record, by the shareholder as of the record date for the meeting, if such date has been made publicly available, or as of a date within ten days of the effective date of the notice by the shareholder if the record date has not been made publicly available; and (iv) any interest of the shareholder in such business. We may reject a shareholder proposal that is not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws. These provisions could reduce the likelihood that a third party would propose business to be brought before an annual meeting.

Our Bylaws also establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder director nominations. Our Bylaws provide that shareholder director nominations must be made in writing to the secretary of the Company no later than (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, 90 days in advance of such meeting; and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders. Each such notice must set forth: (i) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (ii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder; (iv) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the board of directors; and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. We may reject a shareholder director nomination that is not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws. These provisions could reduce the likelihood that a third party would nominate and elect individuals to serve on our board of directors

## Exhibit 4.5

**Exhibit 4.5**

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

Issuer

to

[ ]

Trustee

SENIOR INDENTURE

Dated as of __________, 20

Senior Debt Securities

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  |  | **<u>Page</u>** |
| ARTICLE ONE | DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 2 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 101. | Definitions | 2 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 102. | Compliance Certificate and Opinions | 8 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 103. | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 8 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 104. | Acts of Holders | 9 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 105. | Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company | 10 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 106. | Notice to Holders | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 107. | Language of Notices | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 108. | Conflict With Trust Indenture Act | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 109. | Effect of Headings and **Table of Contents** | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 110. | Successors and Assigns | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 111. | Separability Clause | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 112. | Benefits of Indenture | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 113. | Governing Law | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 114. | Legal Holidays | 12 |
| ARTICLE TWO | SECURITIES FORMS | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 201. | Forms Generally | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 202. | Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication | 13 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 203. | Securities in Global Form | 13 |
| ARTICLE THREE | THE SECURITIES | 13 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 301. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 13 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 302. | Denominations | 16 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 303. | Securities in Foreign Countries | 16 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 304. | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 16 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 305. | Temporary Securities | 18 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 306. | Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 18 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 307. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 308. | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 309. | Persons Deemed Owners | 22 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 310. | Cancellations | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 311. | Computation of Interest | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 312. | Cusip Numbers | 23 |
| ARTICLE FOUR | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 401. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 402. | Application of Trust Money | 24 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 403. | Definitions | 25 |
| ARTICLE FIVE | REMEDIES | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 501. | Events of Default | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 502. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 503. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 28 |

---

i

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 504. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 28.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 505. | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons | 29.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 506. | Application of Money Collected | 29.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 507. | Limitations on Suits | 29.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 508. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 509. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 510. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 511. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 512. | Control of Holders | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 513. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 514. | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 31.0 |
| ARTICLE SIX | THE TRUSTEE | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 601. | Notice of Defaults | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 602. | Certain Rights of Trustee | 32.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 603. | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance Securities | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 604. | May Hold Securities | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 605. | Money Held in Trust | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 606. | Compensation and Reimbursement | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 607. | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests | 34.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 608. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 34.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 609. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 35.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 610. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 36.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 611. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 36.0 |
| ARTICLE SEVEN | HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 37.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 701. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 37.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 702. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 703. | Reports by Trustee | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 704. | Reports by Company | 38.0 |
| ARTICLE EIGHT | CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES | 39.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 801. | Company May Consolidate etc., Only on Certain Terms | 39.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 802. | Successor Corporation Substituted for Company | 39.0 |
| ARTICLE NINE | SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 40.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 901. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 40.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 902. | Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 41.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 903. | Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 904. | Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 905. | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 906. | Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| ARTICLE TEN | COVENANTS | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1001. | Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1002. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1003. | Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust | 43.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1004. | Additional Amounts | 44.0 |

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ii

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1005. | Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults | 45.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1006. | Limitation on Liens | 45.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1007. | Limitation on Certain Acquisitions | 45.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1008. | Payment of Taxes and Other Claim | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1009. | Corporate Existence | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1010. | Waiver of Certain Covenants | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1011. | Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 46.0 |
| ARTICLE ELEVEN | REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1101. | Applicability of Article | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1102. | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1103. | Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed | 47.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1104. | Notice of Redemption | 47.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1105. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 48.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1106. | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 48.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1107. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 49.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1108. | Conversion Arrangements on Call for Redemption | 49.0 |
| ARTICLE TWELVE | SINKING FUNDS | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1201. | Applicability of Article | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1202. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1203. | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 50.0 |
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN | REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1301. | Applicability of Article | 51.0 |
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN | MEETINGS OF HOLDERS | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1401. | Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1402. | Call, Notice and Place of Meetings | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1403. | Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1404. | Quorum; Action | 52.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1405. | Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 52.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1406. | Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meeting | 53.0 |
| ARTICLE FIFTEEN | CONVERSION | 53.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1501. | Conversion Privilege | 53.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1502. | Manner of Exercise of Convertible Privilege | 53.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1503. | Cash Adjustment Upon Conversion | 54.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1504. | Conversion Price | 54.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1505. | Adjustment of Conversion Price | 54.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1506. | Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Mergers or Sales on Conversion Privilege | 56.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1507. | Taxes on Conversions | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1508. | Company to Reserve Common Stock | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1509. | Disclaimer by Trustee of Responsibility for Certain Matters | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1510. | Company to Give Notice of Certain Events | 58.0 |

---

iii

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and Senior Indenture, dated as of , 20 .

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section |
| Section 310 (a) (1) | 607 |
| (a) (2) | 607 |
| (a) (5) | 607 |
| (b) | 607 |
| Section 311 (a) | 604 |
| (b) | 604 |
| (b) (2) | 108 |
| Section 312 (a) | 701, 702 (a) |
| (b) | 702 (a) |
| (c) | 702 (b) |
| Section 313 (a) | 703 (a), 703 (b) |
| (b) (2) | 108 |
| (c) | 703 (c) |
| (d) | 703 (c) |
| Section 314 (a) | 704 |
| (c) (1) | 102 |
| (c) (2) | 102 |
| (c) (3) | 108 |
| (e) | 102 |
| Section 315 (a) | 108 |
| (b) | 601 |
| (c) | 108 |
| (d) | 108 |
| (d) (1) | 108 |
| (d) (2) | 108 |
| (d) (3) | 108 |
| (e) | 108 |
| Section 316 (a) | 104 |
| (a) (1) (A) | 512 |
| (a) (1) (B) | 513 |
| (b) | 508 |
| (c) | 104 |
| Section 317 (a) (1) | 505 |
| (a) (2) | 504 |
| (b) | 1003 |
| Section 318 (a) | 108 |

---

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Senior Indenture.

SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 20__, is made by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of South Carolina (the "Company"), having its principal office at 6 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, and [ ], having its principal office at [ ], not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee (the "Trustee").

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured and unsubordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Securities"), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof or Coupons appertaining to any Securities, as follows:

**ARTICLE ONE**

**DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION**

**Section 101. Definitions**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) the words "herein", "hereof", "hereto" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) the word "or" is not exclusive;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) all words in the singular include the plural and all words in the plural include the singular; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) the word "including" means "including without limitations."

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

"*Act*", when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

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

"*Affiliate*" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control", when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting Securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

"*Authenticating Agent*" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

"*Authorized Newspaper*" means a newspaper, in an official language of the country of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Legal Holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

"*Bank*" means (i) any institution organized under the laws of the United States, any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa or the Virgin Islands which (a) accepts deposits that the depositor has a legal right to withdraw on demand, and (b) engages in the business of making commercial loans and (ii) any trust company organized under any of the foregoing laws.

"*Bearer Security*" means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer.

"*Board of Directors*" means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act for the Company hereunder.

"*Board Resolution*" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Business Day*", except as may otherwise be provided herein or in any Security, means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a Legal Holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

"*Called Securities*" means any Convertible Security that is called for redemption by the Company.

"*Capital Stock*" means, as to shares of a particular corporation, outstanding shares of stock of any class whether now or hereafter authorized, irrespective of whether such class shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such corporation.

"*Commission*" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

"*Common Stock*" means all shares now or hereafter authorized of the class of common stock of the Company presently authorized and stock of any other class into which such shares may hereafter have been changed.

"*Company*" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor corporation, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

"*Company Request*" and "*Company Order*" mean a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Conversion Price*" means the price per share of Common Stock from time to time in effect at which any Convertible Security may be converted into Common Stock as determined by or pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

"*Convertible Security*" or *"Convertible Securities*" means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, which are by their terms convertible into Common Stock.

"*Corporate Trust Office*" means, the principal office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at [ ].

"*Corporation*" includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

"*Coupon*" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

"*Date of Conversion*" with respect to any Convertible Security or portion thereof to be converted, means the date on which such Convertible Security shall be surrendered for conversion and notice given in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen.

"*Defaulted Interest*" has the meaning specified in Section 308.

"*Dollars*" or "*$*" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in the currency of the United States, except as may otherwise be provided herein or in any Security.

"*Event of Default*" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

"*Government Obligations*", with respect to any Securities unless otherwise specified herein or therein, means (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government or governments which issued the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which any Securities are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government or governments which issued the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Securities are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, PROVIDED that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

"*Holder*", in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

"*Indenture*" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and with respect to any Security shall include the terms of such Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, "INDENTURE" shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

"*Independent Public Accountants*" means accountants or a firm of accountants that are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to the Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

"*Interest*", with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, with respect to any Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004, includes such Additional Amounts.

"*Interest Payment Date*", with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

"*Legal Holiday*", except as otherwise may be provided herein or in any Securities, with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location are not authorized or obligated to be open.

"*Maturity*", with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

"*Officers' Certificate*" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Opinion of Counsel*", except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means a written Opinion of Counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel.

"*Original Issue Discount Security*" means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.

"*Outstanding*", with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Securities, or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, PROVIDED that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Securities, except to the extent provided in Section 403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 403 hereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 307 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

*provided, however*, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes and for purposes of making the calculations required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be declared (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination or calculation, and (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated other than in Dollars that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined by the Company as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such calculation or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

"*Paying Agent*" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security or Coupon on behalf of the Company.

"*Person*" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

"*Place of Payment*", with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in or pursuant to Section 301(9) or Section 1002.

"*Predecessor Security*" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 307 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

"*Redemption Date*", with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

"*Redemption Price*", with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

"*Registered Security*" means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered and the transfer or exchange thereof is registrable in the Security Register.

"*Regular Record Date*" for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in such Security as the "Regular Record Date".

"*Responsible Officer*" when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including the vice president, any assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

"*Security*" or "*Securities*" means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, "Securities" with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

"*Security Register*" and "*Security Registrar*" have the respective meanings specified in Section 306.

"*Special Record Date*" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any registered Security means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 308.

"*Stated Maturity*", with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a Coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

"*Subsidiary*" means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

"*Subsidiary Bank*" means any Subsidiary which is a Bank.

"*Trust Indenture Act*" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

"*Trustee*" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

"*United States*", except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) , its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

"*United States Alien*", except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

"*U.S. Depository*" or "*Depository*" means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository by the Company pursuant to Section 301, which must be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, "U.S. Depository" or "Depository" shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

"*Vice President*", with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice President".

"*Voting Stock*" means stock of a corporation of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such corporation provided that, for the purposes hereof, stock which carries only the right to vote conditionally on the happening of an event shall not be considered voting stock whether or not such event shall have happened.

**Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions**.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture and in any applicable Security (except Section 1005) shall include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein and in any applicable Security relating thereto;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and'

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

**Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee**.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

**Section 104. Acts of Holders**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1406.

Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or set forth or determined in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, pursuant to Section 301, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy, or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository's standing instructions and customary practices.

The Trustee shall fix a record date, which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such Holders, for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the

Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any Bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option, by Board Resolutions, fix in advance a record date, which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such Holders, for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided no such authorization, agreement or consent of the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

**Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company**.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company.

**Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver**.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any Security, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such Notice; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

**Section 107. Language of Notices**.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

**Section 108. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act**.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

**Section 109. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents**.

The Article and Section headings herein and the **Table of Contents** are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 **Section 110. Successors and Assigns**.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

**Section 111. Separability Clause**.

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

**Section 112. Benefits of Indenture**.

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupon, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

**Section 113. Governing Law**.

This Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

**Section 114. Legal Holidays**.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security, or the last day on which a Holder has the right to convert these Securities, is not a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or Coupon other than a provision in any Security or any Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or any Additional Amounts or principal (and premium, if any) or conversion of the Securities need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or the last such day of conversion, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

**ARTICLE TWO**

**SECURITIES FORMS**

**Section 201. Forms Generally**.

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security, as evidenced by their execution of such Security.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

**Section 202. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication**.

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This certificate represents Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dated: | [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee | [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee |
|  | By: | /s/ |
|  |  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorized Signatory |

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**Section 203. Securities in Global Form**.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 304 or 305 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 304 and, if applicable, Section 305, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 304 or 305 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 301.

**ARTICLE THREE**

**THE SECURITIES**

**Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series**.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, and set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the title of the Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 305, 306, 307, 906, 1107 or 1502 or the terms of such Securities);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both and, if the Securities are to be issuable exclusively or alternatively as Bearer Securities, whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale delivery or conversion of the Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially or otherwise in global form and, if so, (i) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 306, (ii) the name of the depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, with respect to any global Security and (iii) the manner in which interest payable on a global Security will be paid;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) the date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) if Securities of the series are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form (representing all of the Outstanding Bearer Securities of the series) payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date prior to the exchange of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities of the series shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) the date or dates, or the method, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) the place or places, if any, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Amounts), if any, on such Securities shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange or conversion and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(10) whether the Securities of the series or any of them are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(11) whether the Company is obligated to redeem, or purchase Securities of the series or any of them pursuant to any sinking fund or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of the Securities of the series so redeemed or purchased;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(12) the denominations in which Registered Securities of the series, if any, shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations in which Bearer Securities of the series, if any, shall be issuable if other than the denomination of $5,000;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series of any of them which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(14) if other than such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts, the coin or currency, composite currencies or currency unit or units in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or any Additional Amounts in respect of the Securities of the series or any of them shall be payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(15) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or any Additional Amounts in respect of the Securities of the series or any of them are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency, composite currencies or currency unit or units other than that in which the Securities of the series or any of them are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(16) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Amounts), if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(17) whether the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Amounts), if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof or otherwise, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities or any of them are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election, if any, may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities or any of them are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities or any of them are to be so payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(18) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to the Securities of the series or any of them, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(19) the applicability, if any, of Section 403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 403;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(20) if the Securities of the series or any of them are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(21) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(22) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent and/or Authenticating Agent with respect to the Securities of the series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(23) whether any of the Securities of a series shall be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(24) any other terms of the Securities of the series or any of them.

All Securities of any one series and Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and the rate or rates of interest, if any, and Stated Maturity, the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in such Officers' Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided by the Company, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series were established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

**Section 302. Denominations**.

Unless otherwise established with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the Registered Securities of each series, if any, denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities of each series, if any, denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $1,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities pursuant to Section 301.

**Section 303. Securities in Foreign Countries**

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a currency other than United States dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.

**Section 304. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating**.

The Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Deputy Chairman, one of its Vice Chairmen, its President or one of its Vice Presidents under its corporate seal reproduced thereon and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and Coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have

ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, and, provided that the Board Resolution or Resolutions and Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, has been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating, to the effect

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) that the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) that all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities, and Coupons, when completed by appropriate insertion and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of the Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) as to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) an Officers' Certificate stating that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications to cover future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any temporary Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or Coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 307 or 308, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant Coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled.

**Section 305. Temporary Securities**.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 304, temporary Securities of such series which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the temporary Securities of such series, if any, shall be exchangeable upon request for definitive Securities of such series containing identical terms and provisions upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at an office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002, without charge to any Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series containing identical terms and provisions; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided pursuant to Section 301, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth herein or therein. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

**Section 306. Registration, Transfer and Exchange**.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept, at an office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 1002, a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of each series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. In the event that the Trustee shall not be the Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times. [Southern First Bancshares, Inc.] is hereby initially appointed as Security Registrar for each series of Securities. In the event that [Southern First Bancshares, Inc.] shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Trustee shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such series pursuant to Section 1002, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denominations and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such Security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an office or agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided pursuant hereto with respect to such series.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any global Security of any series shall be exchangeable for Securities of such series only if (i) the Securities Depository is at any time unwilling or unable or ineligible to continue as Securities Depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so notified in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of any authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the

Company's agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged which (unless the Securities of such series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as specified as contemplated by Section 301) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of such series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities endorsed thereon issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, redemption or conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such series of Security presented) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and such Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or conversion of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 305, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of such series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Security, that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms specified as contemplated by Section 301, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be repaid.

**Section 307. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities**.

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 307, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate

and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such Security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

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

Every new Security of any series, with its Coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its Coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its Coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their Coupons, if any.

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

**Section 308. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved**.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange of such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities affected (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment. Money will be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of such Registered Securities at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Registered Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any Securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

At the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities of any series that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 306, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

**Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners**.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Sections 306 and 308) interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

**Section 310. Cancellation**.

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee or the Security Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar, and any such Securities and Coupons and Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall be returned to the Company by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, upon a Company Order. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of all cancelled Securities.

**Section 311. Computation of Interest**.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

**Section 312. CUSIP Numbers**.

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

**ARTICLE FOUR**

**SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE**

**Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture**.

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1004), and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) either

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 306, (ii) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 307, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1107, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any such Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) have become due and payable, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year and such Securities are not convertible into other Securities, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, such Securities are not convertible into other Securities and are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose, lawful money of the United States Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal or other amounts in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than the opening of business on the due dates of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and Coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are two or more Trustees hereunder, then the effectiveness of any such instrument shall be conditioned upon receipt of such instruments from all Trustees hereunder.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

**Section 402. Application of Trust Money**.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or this section 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the Coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and any interest or any Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

All monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.

**Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of Any Series**.

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for defeasance of Securities of any series pursuant to Section 403, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness, when

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) either

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for such purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), any Additional Amounts, and interest to the Stated Maturity or any Redemption Date as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of this Section 403, as the case may be; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) with respect to any series of Securities which are denominated in United States dollars, the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as obligations in trust for such purpose, such amount of direct obligations of, or obligations the timely payment of the principal of and interest on which are fully guaranteed by, the United States of America and which are not callable at the option of the issuer thereof as will, together with the income to accrue thereon without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), any Additional Amounts, and interest to the stated Maturity or any Redemption Date as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of this Section 403; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to the Securities of such series; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee a certificate signed by a nationally recognized firm of Independent Public Accountants certifying as to the sufficiency of the amounts deposited pursuant to subsections (A) (i) or (ii) of this Section for payment of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the dates such payments are due, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each such Certificate and opinion stating that no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of any such series have been complied with; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of independent counsel that the holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) if the Securities of such series are then listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, an Opinion of Counsel that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of the exercise of this option.

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in subsection (1) (A) of this Section shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption or repayment provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 403 with respect to all the Outstanding Securities of any series, the terms and conditions of such series, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, other than the provisions of Sections 306, 307, and 1002, other than the right of Holders of Securities and any Coupons of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in this Section, payment of the principal (and premium, if any) of, the interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons (if any) appertaining thereto when such payments are due, other than any right of conversion of such Securities and the rights, powers, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Company except those responsibilities and obligations which by the terms of the Indenture survive the termination of the Indenture; PROVIDED that the Company shall not be discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Securities of such series which are deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under applicable law.

**ARTICLE FIVE**

**REMEDIES**

**Section 501. Events of Default**.

"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or be effected by operation of law pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) default in the payment of any interest upon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security of such series when such interest becomes or Additional Amounts become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at Maturity; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture or the Securities (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) if any event of default as defined in any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank for money borrowed, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, shall happen and shall result in such indebtedness in principal amount in excess of $25,000,000 becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled, or such indebtedness shall not have been discharged, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such event of default and requiring the Company to cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled or to cause such indebtedness to be discharged and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, and adjudging it a bankrupt or insolvent or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) the Company or the Subsidiary Bank shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in any involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or shall take any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of such series.

**Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment**.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal of all the Securities of that series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of that series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) all overdue installments of interest on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of all Securities of such series,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest or any Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel as provided in Section 606 hereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

**Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee**.

The Company covenants that if

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at its Maturity,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest or Additional Amounts, if any, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon overdue installments of interest or any Additional Amounts, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

**Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim**.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and any Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or

Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or Coupon in any such proceeding.

**Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons**.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Security and Coupon in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

**Section 506. Application of Money Collected**.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (and premium, if any), interest or any Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| FIRST: | To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606; |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| SECOND: | To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any), interest or any Additional Amounts, respectively; |

---

THIRD:

The balance, if any, to the Company.

**Section 507. Limitation on Suits**.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related Coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) such Holder or Holders have offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

**Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts**.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 306 and 308) interest on or any Additional Amounts in respect of such Security or payment of such Coupon on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

**Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies**.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

**Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative**.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 307, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of a Security or Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

**Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver**.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or Coupons may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or Coupons, as the case may be.

**Section 512. Control by Holders**.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, PROVIDED that

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of such series.

**Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults**.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

**Section 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws**.

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

**ARTICLE SIX**

**THE TRUSTEE**

**Section 601. Notice of Defaults**.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such default hereunder known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series; and PROVIDED further, that in the case of default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, with respect to Securities of such series.

**Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee**.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 304 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or Board Resolutions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable Security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost to the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

**Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities**.

The recitals contained herein and, in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-l supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

**Section 604. May Hold Securities**.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

**Section 605. Money Held in Trust**.

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder.

**Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement**.

The Company agrees

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Trustee in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.

As Security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

The provisions of this Section 606 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

**Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests**.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation permitted by Section 310(a) (1) and (5) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a) (2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall take such action as is required pursuant to said Section 310 (b).

**Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 609.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) If at any time:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder of a Security, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (a) the Company, by or pursuant to Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (b) subject to Section 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of any series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. If, within one

year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

**Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company and/or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and each such successor Trustee without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee

hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

**Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business**.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

**Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent**.

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Authenticating Agents, which may be an Affiliate of the Company, with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue or exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 307, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as specified as contemplated by Section 301, shall at all times be a corporation that would be permitted by Section 310(a) (1) and (5) of the Trust Indenture Act to be able to act as a trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as such and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a) (2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of not less than $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section. If the Authenticating Agent has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, with respect to the Securities of any series, the Authenticating Agent shall take action as is required pursuant to said Section 310 (b).

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the

provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

The provisions of Sections 309, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This certificate represents Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dated: | [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee | [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee |
|  | By: | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ |
|  |  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Authenticating Agent |
|  | By: | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ |
|  |  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorized Signatory |

---

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102) by the Company, shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

**ARTICLE SEVEN**

**HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY**

**Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders**.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for

interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

*provided, however*, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

**Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

**Section 703. Reports by Trustee**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the year following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and (d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

**Section 704. Reports by Company**.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company actually files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national Securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with respect to compliance by such obligor with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) transmit within 30 days after the actual filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) transmit within 90 days of December 31 of each year to the Trustee, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of such obligor's compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture as determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or other notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

**ARTICLE EIGHT**

**CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES**

**Section 801. Company May Consolidate Etc., Only on Certain Terms**.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by the successor Person to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on or any Additional Amounts in respect of all the Securities and the performance of every other covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) each of the Company and the successor Person has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

**Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted for Company**.

Upon any consolidation or merger or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter,

except in the case of a lease to another Person, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and the Coupons.

**ARTICLE NINE**

**SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES**

**Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders**.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal (or premium, if any) on Registered Securities or of principal (or premium, if any) or any interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Registered Securities to be exchanged for Bearer Securities or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertified form, PROVIDED any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto as permitted by Sections 201 and 301;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 609 (b);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture and which shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) to add any additional Events of Default;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to conform the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under this Indenture to the obligations imposed on such Persons hereunder pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted and rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(10) to make provisions with respect to the conversion rights of Holders of Convertible Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section 1506; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(11) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect to one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination (i) shall neither (A) apply to any Security of any series issued prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (B) modify the rights of the Holder of any such pre-existing series of any Security with respect to the application of such provision to such pre-existing series of a Security or (ii) shall become effective only when there is no such pre-existing series of a Security outstanding.

**Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders**.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental Indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the Place of Payment, coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1404 for quorum or voting, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) modify any of the provisions of this section, or Sections 512, 513 or Section 1011, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purposes of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; PROVIDED, that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

**Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures**.

**Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures**.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

**Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act**.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

**Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures**.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

**ARTICLE TEN**

**COVENANTS**

**Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest**.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any), interest on or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1004 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.

**Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency**.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and the related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1004); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1004) at the place specified for the purpose pursuant to Section 301, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company 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; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, payment of principal of and any premium and interest in U.S. dollars (including Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof) on any Bearer Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office or any office or agency designated by the Company if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. Pursuant to Section 301(9) of this Indenture, the Company may subsequently appoint a place or places where such Securities may be payable.

**Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust**.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any Securities of that series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Except as otherwise provided hereby or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest and Additional Amounts on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities for such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

**Section 1004. Additional Amounts**.

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security of any such series or any Coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any related Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal (and premium, if any, is made)), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal (and premium, if any) of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or the Coupons appertaining thereto who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers' Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability

or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

**Section 1005. Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company will, in addition to the reports required by Section 704(4), deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (which on the date hereof ends on December 31), commencing December 31, 2013, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 102, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Deputy Chairman, Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company, stating, as to each signer thereof, that

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made under his supervision, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to the best of his knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to him and the nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Company will deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible, and in any event, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.

**Section 1006. Limitation on Liens**.

The Company will not pledge, mortgage or hypothecate, or permit to exist any pledge, mortgage or hypothecation or other lien upon, any shares of Capital Stock of the Subsidiary Bank to secure any indebtedness for borrowed money without making effective provisions whereby the Securities shall be equally and ratably secured with any and all such indebtedness.

In case the Company shall propose to pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any such shares of Capital Stock at any time owned by it to secure any indebtedness, the Company will prior thereto give written notice thereof to the Trustee and will prior to or simultaneously with such pledge, mortgage or hypothecation, by supplemental indenture delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to it, effectively secure all the Securities equally and ratably with such indebtedness, by pledge, mortgage or hypothecation of such shares of Capital Stock. Such supplemental indenture shall contain the provisions concerning the possession, control, release and substitution of mortgaged and pledged property and Securities and other appropriate matters which are required or are permitted by the Trust Indenture Act (as in effect at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) to be included in a secured indenture qualified under said Trust Indenture Act, and may also contain such additional and amendatory provisions permitted by said Trust Indenture Act as the Company and the Trustee shall deem advisable or appropriate or as the Trustee shall deem necessary in connection with such pledge, mortgage or hypothecation.

**Section 1007. Limitation on Certain Acquisitions**.

The Company will not (a) acquire Capital Stock of any corporation or (b) acquire substantially all the assets and liabilities of any corporation, if, immediately upon giving effect to such acquisition, the Company would not then be in full compliance with all the terms, conditions and covenants contained in this Indenture.

**Section 1008. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims**.

The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

**Section 1009. Corporate Existence**.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises and the corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Subsidiary Bank; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such corporate existence, right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as a whole and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

**Section 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants**.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 1006, 1007 and 1008 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

**Section 1011. Calculation of Original Issue Discount**.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

**ARTICLE ELEVEN**

**REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES**

**Section 1101. Applicability of Article**.

Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Company as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

**Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice To Trustee**.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate and Stated Maturity, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

**Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed**.

If less than all the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein pursuant hereto.

If any Convertible Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

**Section 1104. Notice of Redemption**.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Redemption Date,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Redemption Price,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) if less than all outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) in case any Registered Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) in the case of Convertible Securities, the Conversion Price then in effect, the date on which the right to convert the principal amount of the Securities or the portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed only, as to Bearer Securities, against tender of such Security and any Coupons appertaining

thereto, and, if applicable, that interest thereon and Additional Amounts, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) the place or places where such Securities, together, in the case of Bearer Securities with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) the CUSIP number, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

**Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price**.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

If any Convertible Security or portion thereof called for redemption is converted pursuant to Article Fifteen, any money deposited with the Trustee or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security or portion thereof shall (subject to any right of the Holder of the Security on a Regular Record Date preceding such conversion to receive interest) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

**Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date**.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (or any Additional Amounts) to the Redemption Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest (at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002), and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 308.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such Security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest (or any Additional Amounts) represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an office or agency located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

**Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part**.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

**Section 1108. Conversion Arrangements on Call for Redemption**.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, in connection with any redemption of Convertible Securities of any series, the Company, by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers, may arrange for such purchasers to purchase all such Convertible Securities called for redemption (the "Called Securities") which are either (i) surrendered for redemption or (ii) not duly surrendered for redemption or conversion prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date, and to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, by the purchasers' depositing with the Trustee (acting as Paying Agent with respect to the deposit of such amount and as conversion agent with respect to the conversion of such Called Securities), in trust for the Holders of the Called Securities, on or prior to the Redemption Date in the manner agreed to by the Company and such purchasers, an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price, payable by the Company on redemption of such Called Securities. In connection with any such arrangement for purchase and conversion, the Trustee as Paying Agent shall pay on or after the Redemption Date such amounts so deposited by the purchasers in exchange for Called Securities surrendered for redemption prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date and for all Called Securities surrendered after such Redemption Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article Eleven, the obligation of the Company to pay the Redemption Price of such Called Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. However, nothing in this Section 1108 shall in any way relieve the Company of the obligation to pay such Redemption Price on all Called Securities to the extent such amount is not so paid by said purchasers. For all purposes of this Indenture, any Called Securities surrendered by the Holders for redemption, and any Called Securities not duly surrendered for redemption or conversion prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date, shall be deemed acquired by such purchasers from such Holders and surrendered by such purchasers for conversion and shall in all respects be deemed to have been converted, all as of immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date, subject to the deposit by the purchasers of the above amount as aforesaid. Nothing in this Section 1108 shall in any way limit the right of any Holder of a Security to convert his Security pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and of such Security at any time prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date applicable thereto.

**ARTICLE TWELVE**

**SINKING FUNDS**

**Section 1201. Applicability of Article**.

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

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

**Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities**.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, PROVIDED that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

**Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund**.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers' Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

**ARTICLE THIRTEEN**

**REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS**

**Section 1301. Applicability of Article**.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 310, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article Thirteen, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

**ARTICLE FOURTEEN**

**MEETINGS OF HOLDERS**

**Section 1401. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called**.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

**Section 1402. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, to be held at such time and at such place in the Principle Office of the Trustee, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

**Section 1403. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings**.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

**Section 1404. Quorum; Action**.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in section 1402 (a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

**Section 1405. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1402 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of

the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

**Section 1406. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings**.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.

A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1402 and, if applicable, Section 1404. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated

**ARTICLE FIFTEEN**

**CONVERSION**

**Section 1501. Conversion Privilege**.

Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article Fifteen and the terms of the Convertible Securities of the series proposed to be converted, at the option of the Holder, any Convertible Security or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, may be converted into shares of Common Stock, as said shares shall be constituted at the Date of Conversion, at the Conversion Price for such Convertible Securities of such series in effect at the Date of Conversion.

**Section 1502. Manner of Exercise of Convertible Privilege**.

In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Convertible Security to be converted shall surrender such Convertible Security to the Company at its office or agency, together with the conversion notice in the form provided on the Securities (or separate written notice) duly executed, and, if so required by the Company, accompanied by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder or by his duly authorized attorney in writing. Any registered Convertible Security so surrendered during the period from the close of business on the Regular Record Date preceding an Interest Payment Date for such registered Convertible Security to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall (unless any such registered Convertible Security or the portion thereof being converted shall have been called for redemption on a Redemption Date during such period, in which event no interest shall be payable with respect to such registered Convertible Security or portion thereof, as the case may be, following such Redemption Date) also be accompanied by payment in Clearing House funds or other funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such registered Convertible Security then being converted; provided, however, that no such payment need be made if there shall exist, at the time of conversion, a default in the payment of interest on the Convertible Securities of such series. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no adjustment shall be made for interest accrued on any Convertible Security that shall be converted or for dividends on any shares of Common Stock that shall be delivered upon the conversion of such Convertible Securities. The funds so delivered to such office or agency shall be paid to the Company on or after such Interest Payment Date, unless the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which event such funds shall be repaid to the Person who delivered the same. As promptly as practicable after the surrender of any Convertible Security for conversion as aforesaid, the Company shall deliver at

said office or agency to such Holder, or on his written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares deliverable upon the conversion of such Convertible Security or portion thereof and a check or cash in respect of any fraction of a share of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon such conversion, all as provided in this Article Fifteen, together with a Convertible Security or Convertible Securities of the same series in principal amount equal to the unconverted and unredeemed portion, if any, of the Convertible Security so converted in accordance with Section 306 hereof. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date on which such notice shall have been received at said office or agency and such Convertible Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid, and the Person or Persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be deliverable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby, provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the Person or Persons in whose name or names the certificates are to be delivered as the record Holder or Holders thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date of such surrender.

**Section 1503. Cash Adjustment Upon Conversion**.

The Company shall not be required to deliver fractions of shares of Common Stock upon conversions of Convertible Securities. If more than one Convertible Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be deliverable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities so surrendered. If any fractional interest in a share of Common Stock would be deliverable upon the conversion of any Convertible Security or Securities, the Company shall make an adjustment therefor in cash equal to the current market value of such fractional interest computed to the nearest cent either on the basis of the last reported sale price regular way of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market (or, if not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, then on such other exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed as the Company may designate) on the last Business Day prior to the Date of Conversion or, if there shall not have been a sale on such last Business Day, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked quotations therefor on such exchange on such last Business Day or, if the Common Stock shall not then be listed on any exchange, at the highest bid quotation in the over-the- counter market on such last Business Day as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers through NASDAQ, its automated system for reporting quotes, or its successor or such other generally accepted source of publicly reported bid and asked quotations as the Company may reasonably designate.

**Section 1504. Conversion Price**.

The Conversion Price applicable to any series of Convertible Securities shall be the initial Conversion Price set forth on the Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing such series adjusted as provided in this Article Fifteen.

**Section 1505. Adjustment of Conversion Price**.

The Conversion Price applicable to any series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time while the Securities of any series are outstanding, (i) pay a dividend on its Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (iii) combine its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price for such series in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Holder of any Security of such series thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company which he would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had such Convertible Security of such series been converted immediately prior to the happening of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to this subdivision (a) shall become effective, in the case of a dividend, on the payment date retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1505, and shall become effective in

the case of a subdivision or combination immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day when such subdivision or combination, as the case may be, becomes effective.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time while the Convertible Securities of any series are outstanding, issue rights or warrants to all holders of its shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 days of the record date mentioned below) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined in paragraph (d) below) at such record date, the Conversion Price of any series of Convertible Securities in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such rights or warrants shall be adjusted as follows: the number of shares of Common Stock into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series was theretofore convertible shall be multiplied by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such record date plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so offered would purchase at such current market price; and the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted by dividing $1,000 by the new number of shares into which $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series shall be convertible as aforesaid. Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of such issuance retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1505. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such current market price, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) In case the Company shall, at any time from time to time while the Convertible Securities of any series are outstanding, distribute to all holders of shares of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness or securities or assets (excluding cash dividends or cash distributions payable out of consolidated net earnings or retained earnings) or rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share of Common Stock, determined in the manner set forth in paragraph (d) below, but excluding rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (b) above, the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities in effect immediately prior to such distribution shall be adjusted by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series of Convertible Securities was theretofore convertible by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined in paragraph (d) below) on the record date for such distribution, and of which the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock, less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of such evidences of indebtedness, securities or assets or of such subscription rights or warrants so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; and the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted by dividing $1,000 by the new number of shares into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series shall be convertible as aforesaid. Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of such distribution retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1505. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) consolidated net earnings or retained earnings shall be computed by adding thereto all charges against retained earnings on account of dividends paid in shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Conversion Price has been adjusted, all as determined by Independent Public Accountants, whose determination shall be conclusive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) For the purpose of any computation under paragraphs (b) and (c) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock at any date shall be deemed to be the average of the market values of the shares of Common Stock for the ten consecutive Business Days immediately preceding the day in question. The market value of the Common Stock for each day shall be determined as provided in Section 1503 hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Company may make such reductions in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities, in addition to those required by paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section as it considers to be advisable

in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Except as herein otherwise provided, no adjustment in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be made by reason of the issuance, in exchange for cash, property or services, of shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of its shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive any dividend or any subscription or purchase rights or any distribution and shall, thereafter and before the distribution to shareholders of any such dividend, subscription or purchase rights or distribution, legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend, subscription or purchase rights or distribution, then no adjustment of the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) No adjustment in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph (h) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Article Fifteen shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) Whenever the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall (i) forthwith place on file at the Principal Office of the Trustee an Officers' Certificate showing in detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion Price after such adjustment and shall exhibit the same from time to time to any Holder of Convertible Securities of such series desiring an inspection thereof, and (ii) cause a notice stating that such adjustment has been effected and the adjusted Conversion Price to be mailed to the Holders of registered Convertible Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) The Company may delete, modify or vary any of the provisions applicable to conversion of the Convertible Securities of any series, or may add new provisions applicable thereto, all as may be contained in the Board Resolutions and Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing such series.

**Section 1506. Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Mergers or Sales on Conversion Privilege**.

In case of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of the class of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), or in case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities), or in case of the merger of the Company into another corporation, or in case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the Holder of Convertible Securities then outstanding shall have the right to convert such Convertible Security into the kind and amount of shares of capital stock or other securities and property, including cash, receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Convertible Security might have been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. In any such case the Company, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee one or more supplemental indentures (which shall conform to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution of such supplemental indenture) containing provisions to the effect set forth above in this Section 1506 and providing further for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article Fifteen; and any such adjustment which shall be approved by the Board of Directors and set forth in such supplemental indenture or supplemental indentures shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Section, and the Trustee shall not be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provision contained in such supplemental indenture or supplemental indentures relating to either the kind or amount

of shares of stock or securities or property receivable by Holders of Securities of any series upon the conversion of their Convertible Securities after any such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.

The above provisions of this Section 1506 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, sales and conveyances.

**Section 1507. Taxes on Conversions**.

The issue of stock certificates on conversions of Convertible Securities shall be made without charge to the converting Holder of Convertible Securities for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares in any name other than that of the Holder of any registered Convertible Security converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

**Section 1508. Company to Reserve Common Stock**.

The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued shares or its issued shares held in its treasury, or both, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Securities, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Securities.

If any shares of Common Stock reserved or to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of Securities hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or State law before such shares may be validly delivered upon conversion, then the Company covenants that it will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure registration or approval, as the case may be.

The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be delivered upon conversion of Convertible Securities shall upon delivery be fully paid and nonassessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue or delivery thereof.

**Section 1509. Disclaimer by Trustee of Responsibility for Certain Matters**.

Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Convertible Securities of any series to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price for such series, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same, subject, however, to the provisions of Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Convertible Security; and neither of them makes any representation with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article Sixteen.

No recourse may be taken with respect to the obligations of the Company or the Trustee against the Trustee in its individual capacity.

**Section 1510. Company to Give Notice of Certain Events**.

In the event:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) that the Company shall pay any dividend or make any distribution to the holders of shares of Common Stock otherwise than in cash charged against consolidated net earnings or retained earnings of the Company and its consolidated net earnings or retained earnings of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or in Common Stock; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) that the Company shall offer for subscription or purchase, pro rata, to the holders of shares of Common Stock any additional shares of stock of any class or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of any class; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) of any reclassification or change in outstanding shares of the class of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), or of any merger or consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, another corporation (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities), or of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety;

then, and in any one or more of such events, the Company will give to the Trustee and each conversion agent written notice thereof at least fifteen days prior to (i) the record date fixed with respect to any of the events specified in (1) and (2) above, and (ii) the effective date of any of the events specified in (3) above; and shall mail promptly a copy of such notice to the Holders of registered Convertible Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

\* \* \* \* \*

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

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

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | Name: |
|  | Title: |
| [ ], not in its individual <br> capacity but solely as Trustee | [ ], not in its individual <br> capacity but solely as Trustee |
| By: |  |
|  | Name: |
|  | Title: |

---

## Exhibit 4.7

**Exhibit 4.7**

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

Issuer

to

[ ]

Trustee

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

Dated as of , 20

Subordinated Debt Securities

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  |  | **<u>Page</u>** |
| ARTICLE ONE | DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 2 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 101. | Definitions | 2 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 102. | Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 8 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 103. | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 9 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 104. | Acts of Holders | 9 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 105. | Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 106. | Notice to Holders | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 107. | Language of Notices | 11 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 108. | Conflict With Trust Indenture Act | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 109. | Effect of Headings and **Table of Contents** | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 110. | Successors and Assigns | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 111. | Separability Clause | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 112. | Benefits Of Indenture | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 113. | Governing Law | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 114. | Legal Holidays | 12 |
| ARTICLE TWO | SECURITIES FORMS | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 201. | Forms Generally | 12 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 202. | Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication | 13 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 203. | Securities in Global Form | 13 |
| ARTICLE THREE | THE SECURITIES | 14 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 301. | Amount Unlimited, Issuable in Series | 14 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 302. | Denominations | 16 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 303. | Securities in Foreign Countries | 17 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 304. | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 17 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 305. | Temporary Securities | 18 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 306. | Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 19 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 307. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 308. | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 22 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 309. | Persons Deemed Owners | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 310. | Cancellation | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 311. | Computation of Interest | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 312. | Cusip Numbers | 23 |
| ARTICLE FOUR | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 24 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 401. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 24 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 402. | Application of Trust Money | 25 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 403. | Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of Any Series | 25 |
| ARTICLE FIVE | REMEDIES | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 501. | Events of Default | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 502. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 503. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee | 28 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 504. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 28 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 505. | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 506. | Application of Money Collected | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 507. | Limitations on Suits | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 508. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 30 |

---

i

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 509. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 510. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 30.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 511. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 512. | Control By Holders | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 513. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 514. | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 31.0 |
| ARTICLE SIX | THE TRUSTEE | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 601. | Notice of Defaults | 31.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 602. | Certain Rights of Trustee | 32.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 603. | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 604. | May Hold Securities | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 605. | Money Held In Trust | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 606. | Compensation and Reimbursement | 33.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 607. | Corporate Trustee required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests | 34.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 608. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 34.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 609. | Acceptance of Appointment By Successor | 35.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 610. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 36.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 611. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 36.0 |
| ARTICLE SEVEN | HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 701. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 702. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 703. | Reports By Trustee | 38.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 704. | Reports By Company | 39.0 |
| ARTICLE EIGHT | CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES | 39.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 801. | Company May Consolidate Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 39.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 802. | Successor Corporation Substituted For Company | 40.0 |
| ARTICLE NINE | SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 40.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 901. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 40.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 902. | Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders | 41.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 903. | Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 904. | Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 905. | Conformity With Trust Indenture Act | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 906. | Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 42.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 907. | Subordination Unimpaired | 43.0 |
| ARTICLE TEN | COVENANTS | 43.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1001. | Payment of Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest | 43.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1002. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 43.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1003. | Money For Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 44.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1004. | Additional Amounts | 45.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1005. | Statement As To Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults | 45.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1006. | Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1007. | Corporate Existence | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1008. | Waiver of Certain Covenants | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1009. | Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 46.0 |
| ARTICLE ELEVEN | REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1101. | Applicability of Article | 46.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1102. | Election To Redeem; Notice To Trustee | 47.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1103. | Selection By Trustee of Securities To Be Redeemed | 47.0 |

---

ii

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1104. | Notice of Redemption | 47.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1105. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 48.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1106. | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 48.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1107. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 49.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1108. | Conversion Arrangements on Call for Redemption | 49.0 |
| ARTICLE TWELVE | SINKING FUNDS | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1201. | Applicability of Article | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1202. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments With Securities | 50.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1203. | Redemption of Securities For Sinking Fund | 50.0 |
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN | REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1301. | Applicability of Article | 51.0 |
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN | MEETINGS OF HOLDERS | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1401. | Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1402. | Call, Notice and Place of Meetings | 51.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1403. | Persons Entitled To Vote At Meetings | 52.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1404. | Quorum; Action | 52.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1405. | Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 52.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1406. | Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings | 53.0 |
| ARTICLE FIFTEEN | SUBORDINATION | 53.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1501. | Securities Subordinated To Senior Indebtedness | 53.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1502. | Subrogation | 55.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1503. | Obligation Of Company Unconditional | 55.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1504. | Payment On Securities Permitted | 56.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1505. | Effectuation Of Subordination by Trustee | 56.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1506. | Knowledge Of Trustee | 56.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1507. | Trustee's Relation To Senior Indebtedness | 56.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1508. | Rights Of Holders Of Senior Indebtedness Not Impaired | 56.0 |
| ARTICLE SIXTEEN | CONVERSION | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1601. | Conversion Privilege | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1602. | Manner of Exercise of Convertible Privilege | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1603. | Cash Adjustment Upon Conversion | 57.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1604. | Conversion Price | 58.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1605. | Adjustment of Conversion Price | 58.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1606. | Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Merges or Sales on Conversions | 60.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1607. | Taxes on Conversions | 60.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1608. | Company to Reserve Common Stock | 61.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1609. | Disclaimer by Trustee of Responsibility for Certain Matters | 61.0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1610. | Company to Give Notice of Certain Events | 61.0 |

---

iii

**SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.**

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and Subordinated Indenture, dated as of , 20 .

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>Trust Indenture Act Section</u> | <u>Indenture Section</u> |
| Section 310(a) (1) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;607 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;607 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (5) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;607 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;607 |
| Section 311(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;604 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;604 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| Section 312(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;701, 702(a) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;702(a) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;702(b) |
| Section 313(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;703(a), 703(b) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;703(c) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;703(c) |
| Section 314(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;704 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) (1) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;102 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;102 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) (3) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;102 |
| Section 315(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;601 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) (1) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) (3) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |
| Section 316(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;104 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (1) (A) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;512 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (1) (B) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;513 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;508 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;104 |
| Section 317(a) (1) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;505 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (2) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;504 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1003 |
| Section 318(a) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;108 |

---

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Subordinated Indenture.

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 is made by and between SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of South Carolina (the "Company"), having its principal office at 100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100, Greenville, South Carolina 29607 and [ ], having its principal office at [ ], not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee (the "Trustee").

**RECITALS**

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Securities"), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof or Coupons appertaining to any Securities, as follows:

**ARTICLE ONE**

**DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION**

**Section 101. Definitions**

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
 terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include
 the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all
 other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or
 by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all
 accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance
 with generally accepted accounting principles and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided,
 the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation
 required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted
 at the date of such computation;

(4) the
 words "herein", "hereof", "hereto" and "hereunder"
 and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
 Article, Section or other subdivision;

(5) the
 word "or" is not exclusive;

(6) all
 words in the singular include the plural and all words in the plural include the singular;
 and

(7) the
 word "including" means "including without limitations."

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

"Act", when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

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

"*Affiliate*" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control", when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting Securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.

"*Authenticating Agent*" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

"*Authorized Newspaper*" means a newspaper, in an official language of the country of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Legal Holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

"*Bank*" means (i) any institution organized under the laws of the United States, any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa or the Virgin Islands which (a) accepts deposits that the depositor has a legal right to withdraw on demand, and (b) engages in the business of making commercial loans and (ii) any trust company organized under any of the foregoing laws.

"*Bearer Security*" means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer.

"*Board of Directors*" means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act for the Company hereunder.

"*Board Resolution*" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Business Day*" except as may otherwise be provided herein or in any Security, means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a Legal Holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

"*Called Securities*" means any Convertible Security that is called for redemption by the Company.

"*Capital Stock*" means, as to shares of a particular corporation, outstanding shares of stock of any class whether now or hereafter authorized, irrespective of whether such class shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such corporation.

"*Commission*" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

"*Common Stock*" means all shares now or hereafter authorized of the class of common stock of the Company presently authorized and stock of any other class into which such shares may hereafter have been changed.

"*Company*" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor corporation, and any other obligor upon the Securities.

"*Company Request*" and "Company Order" mean a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Conversion Price*" means the price per share of Common Stock from time to time in effect at which any Convertible Security may be converted into Common Stock as determined by or pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

"*Convertible Security*" or "Convertible Securities" means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, which are by their terms convertible into Common Stock.

"*Corporate Trust Office*" means, the principal office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at [ ].

"*Corporation*" includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

"*Coupon*" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

"*Date of Conversion*" with respect to any Convertible Security or portion thereof to be converted, means the date on which such Convertible Security shall be surrendered for conversion and notice given in accordance with the provisions of Article Sixteen.

"*Defaulted Interest*" has the meaning specified in Section 308.

"*Dollars*" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in the currency of the United States, except as may otherwise be provided herein or in any Security.

"*Event of Default*" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

"*Government Obligations*", with respect to any Securities unless otherwise specified herein or therein, means (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government or governments which issued the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which any Securities are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government or governments which issued the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Securities are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, PROVIDED that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

"*Holder*", in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of any Bearer Security, means the bearer thereof and, in the case of any Coupon, means the bearer thereof.

"*Indenture*" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and with respect to any Security shall include the terms of such Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, "INDENTURE" shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

"*Independent Public Accountant*s" means accountants or a firm of accountants that are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountants or firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to the Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.

"*Interest*", with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, with respect to any Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004, includes such Additional Amounts.

"*Interest Payment Date*", with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

"*Legal Holiday*", except as otherwise may be provided herein or in any Securities, with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location are not authorized or obligated to be open.

"*Maturity*", with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

"*Officers' Certificate*" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

"*Opinion of Counsel*," except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means a written Opinion of Counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel.

"*Original Issue Discount Security*" means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.

"*Outstanding*", with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Securities, or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, PROVIDED that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Section 403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 403 hereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 307 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

*provided, however*, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes and for purposes of making the calculations required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be declared (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination or calculation, and (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated other than in Dollars that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined by the Company as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such calculation or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

"*Paying Agent*" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security or Coupon on behalf of the Company.

"*Person*" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

"*Place of Payment*", with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in or pursuant to Section 301(9) or Section 1002.

"*Predecessor Security*" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 307 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or any Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security or the Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

"*Redemption Date*", with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

"*Redemption Price*", with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

"*Registered Security*" means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered and the transfer or exchange thereof is registrable in the Security Register.

"*Regular Record Date*" for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in such Security as the "Regular Record Date".

"*Responsible Officer*" when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including the vice president, any assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

"*Security" or "Securities*" means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, "Securities" with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

"*Security Register*" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 306.

"*Senior Indebtedness*" means: (i) the principal and any premium or interest for money borrowed or purchased by the Company; (ii) the principal and any premium or interest for money borrowed or purchased by another Person and guaranteed by the Company; (iii) any deferred obligation for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets evidenced by a note or similar agreement; (iv) an obligation arising from direct credit substitutes; and (v) any obligation associated with derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements; in each case, whether outstanding on the date this Indenture becomes effective, or created, assumed or incurred after that date. Senior Indebtedness excludes any indebtedness that: (a) expressly states that it is junior to, or ranks equally in right of payment with, the Securities; or (b) is identified as junior to, or equal in right of payment with, the Securities in any Board Resolution or in any supplemental indenture.

"*Special Record Date*" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any registered Security means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 308.

"*Stated Maturity*", with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a Coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

"*Subsidiary*" means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

"*Subsidiary Bank*" means any Subsidiary which is a Bank.

"*Trust Indenture Act*" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

"*Trustee*" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

"*United States*", except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

"*United States Alien*", except as otherwise provided herein or in any Security, means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

"*U.S. Depository*" or "Depository" means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depository by the Company pursuant to Section 301, which must be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, if so provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, "U.S. Depository" or "Depository" shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

"*Vice President*", with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice President".

"*Voting Stock*" means stock of a corporation of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such corporation provided that, for the purposes hereof, stock which carries only the right to vote conditionally on the happening of an event shall not be considered voting stock whether or not such event shall have happened.

**Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.**

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture and in any applicable Security (except Section 1005) shall include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) a
 statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition
 or covenant and the definitions herein and in any applicable Security relating thereto;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) a
 statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant
 has been complied with.

**Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.**

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

**Section 104. Acts of Holders.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing. If, but only if, Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1406.

Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or set forth or determined in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, pursuant to Section 301, a Holder, including a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy, or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such U.S. Depository's standing instructions and customary practices.

The Trustee shall fix a record date, which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such Holders, for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interest in any permanent

global Security held by a U.S. Depository entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depository to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any Bank, banker or other depositary reasonably acceptable to the Company, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of the commencement and the date of termination of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option, by Board Resolutions, fix in advance a record date, which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such Holders, for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided no such authorization, agreement or consent of the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

**Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.**

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company.

**Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.**

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any Security, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such Notice; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, if published in an Authorized Newspaper and, if such Securities are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in an Authorized Newspaper in such city as the Company shall advise the Trustee that such stock exchange so requires, on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not earlier than the earliest date and not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

**Section 107. Language of Notices.**

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

**Section 108. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.**

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

**Section 109. Effect of Headings and **Table of Contents**.**

The Article and Section headings herein and the **Table of Contents** are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

**Section 110. Successors and Assigns.**

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

**Section 111. Separability Clause.**

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

**Section 112. Benefits of Indenture.**

Nothing in this Indenture, any Security or any Coupon, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities or Coupon, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

**Section 113. Governing Law.**

This Indenture, the Securities and the Coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state.

**Section 114. Legal Holidays.**

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security, or the last day on which a Holder has the right to convert these Securities, is not a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security or Coupon other than a provision in any Security or any Coupon that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or any Additional Amounts or principal (and premium, if any) or conversion of the Securities need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or the last such day of conversion, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

**ARTICLE TWO**

**SECURITIES FORMS**

**Section 201. Forms Generally.**

Each Registered Security, Bearer Security, Coupon and temporary global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other

marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Security, as evidenced by their execution of such Security.

Definitive Securities and definitive Coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or Coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or Coupons.

**Section 202. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.**

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This certificate represents Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated: [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee

By:   <br> Authorized Signatory

**Section 203. Securities in Global Form.**

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 304 or 305 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 304 and, if applicable, Section 305, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 304 or 305 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309, and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, the Person or Persons specified pursuant to Section 301.

**ARTICLE THREE**

**THE SECURITIES**

**Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.**

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness as provided in Article Fifteen.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, and set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
 title of the Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(2) any
 limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title or the Securities
 of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for
 Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for,
 or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 305, 306, 307, 906, 1107
 or 1502 or the terms of such Securities);

(3) whether
 Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or
 both and, if the Securities are to be issuable exclusively or alternatively as Bearer Securities,
 whether the Bearer Securities are to be issuable with Coupons, without Coupons or both, and
 any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale delivery or conversion of the Bearer Securities
 and the terms, if any, upon which Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities
 and vice versa;

(4) whether
 any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially or otherwise in global form and,
 if so, (i) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange
 such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and
 denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than
 in the manner specified in Section 306, (ii) the name of the depository or the U.S. Depository,
 as the case may be, with respect to any global Security and (iii) the manner in which interest
 payable on a global Security will be paid;

(5) the
 date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any global Security representing
 Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance
 of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(6) if
 Securities of the series are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, whether interest in respect
 of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form (representing all of the Outstanding
 Bearer Securities of the series) payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date prior to
 the exchange of such temporary Bearer Security for definitive Securities of the series shall
 be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary Bearer
 Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any
 certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization
 will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date;

(7) the
 date or dates, or the method, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on
 which the principal of such Securities is payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) the
 rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method, if any,
 by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such
 interest shall accrue or the method, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined,
 the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular
 Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment
 Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of
 them shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than
 that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(9) the
 place or places, if any, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including
 Additional Amounts), if any, on such Securities shall be payable, any Registered Securities
 of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may
 be surrendered for exchange or conversion and notices or demands to or upon the Company in
 respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

(10) whether
 the Securities of the series or any of them are to be redeemable at the option of the Company
 and, if so, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other
 terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at
 the option of the Company;

(11) whether
 the Company is obligated to redeem, or purchase Securities of the series or any of them pursuant
 to any sinking fund or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the period or periods
 within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which
 such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation,
 and any provisions for the remarketing of the Securities of the series so redeemed or purchased;

(12) the
 denominations in which Registered Securities of the series, if any, shall be issuable if
 other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denominations
 in which Bearer Securities of the series, if any, shall be issuable if other than the denomination
 of $5,000;

(13) if
 other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities
 of the series of any of them which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
 Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(14) if
 other than such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
 is legal tender for payment of public or private debts, the coin or currency, composite currencies
 or currency unit or units in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest,
 if any, on or any Additional Amounts in respect of the Securities of the series or any of
 them shall be payable;

(15) if
 the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or any Additional Amounts
 in respect of the Securities of the series or any of them are to be payable, at the election
 of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency, composite currencies or currency
 unit or units other than that in which the Securities of the series or any of them are stated
 to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which,
 such election may be made;

(16) whether
 the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional
 Amounts), if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an
 index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation,
 on one or more currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity indices
 or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which
 such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(17) whether
 the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Amounts), if any,
 on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any
 Holder thereof or otherwise, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
 currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities or any of them are denominated
 or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions
 upon which, such election, if any, may be made, and the time and manner of determining the
 exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency
 or currencies in which such Securities or any of them are denominated or stated to be payable
 and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies
 in which such Securities or any of them are to be so payable;

(18) any
 deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the
 Company with respect to the Securities of the series or any of them, whether or not such
 Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set
 forth herein;

(19) the
 applicability, if any, of Section 403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions
 in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 403;

(20) if
 the Securities of the series or any of them are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants,
 the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(21) if
 the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original
 issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain
 certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms
 of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(22) if
 there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the
 identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent and/or Authenticating Agent with respect
 to the Securities of the series;

(23) whether
 any of the Securities of a series shall be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities;
 and

(24) any
 other terms of the Securities of the series or any of them.

All Securities of any one series and Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and the rate or rates of interest, if any, and Stated Maturity, the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in such Officers' Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided by the Company, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series were established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

**Section 302. Denominations.**

Unless otherwise established with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the Registered Securities of each series, if any, denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities of each series, if any, denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in the denomination of $1,000. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities pursuant to Section 301.

**Section 303. Securities in Foreign Countries**

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the form of Security of any particular series, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a currency other than United States dollars shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.

**Section 304. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.**

The Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Deputy Chairman, one of its Vice Chairmen, its President or one of its Vice Presidents under its corporate seal reproduced thereon and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and Coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, and, provided that the Board Resolution or Resolutions and Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, has been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating, to the effect

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) that
 the form or forms and terms of such Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established
 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(B) that
 all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such Securities and Coupons,
 if any, appertaining thereto, have been complied with and that such Securities, and Coupons,
 when completed by appropriate insertion and executed and delivered by the Company to the
 Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by
 the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified
 in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the
 Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy,
 insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting
 the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and subject to general principles of
 equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)
 and will entitle the Holders thereof to the benefits of the Indenture; such Opinion of Counsel
 need express no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(C) that
 all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such
 Securities and Coupons, if any, have been complied with; and

(D) as
 to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) an Officers' Certificate stating that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications to cover future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security and any temporary Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or Coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 307 or 308, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant Coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled.

**Section 305. Temporary Securities.**

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 304, temporary Securities of such series which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the temporary Securities of such series, if any, shall be exchangeable upon request for definitive Securities of such series containing identical terms and provisions upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at an office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002, without charge to any Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series containing identical terms and provisions; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no definitive Bearer Security, except as provided pursuant to Section 301, shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth herein or therein. Unless otherwise specified as

contemplated by Section 301 with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

**Section 306. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.**

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept, at an office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 1002, a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of each series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series. In the event that the Trustee shall not be the Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times. [Southern First Bancshares, Inc.] is hereby initially appointed as Security Registrar for each series of Securities. In the event that [Southern First Bancshares, Inc.] shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Trustee shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such series pursuant to Section 1002, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of such series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denominations and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency for such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such Security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an office or agency for such series located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in exchange for a Registered Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be (or, if such Coupon is so surrendered with such Bearer Security, such Coupon shall be returned to the person so surrendering the Bearer Security), and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

If specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of such series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be provided pursuant hereto with respect to such series.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange as contemplated by the immediately preceding two paragraphs, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any global Security of any series shall be exchangeable for Securities of such series only if (i) the Securities Depository is at any time unwilling or unable or ineligible to continue as Securities Depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so notified in writing, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Security shall be so exchangeable, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities. If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of any authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depository or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depository or such other depository, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged which (unless the Securities of such series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as specified as contemplated by Section 301) shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of such series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; and provided, further, that (unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301) no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository or the U.S. Depository, as the case may be, or such other Depository or U.S. Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities endorsed thereon issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, redemption or conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such series of Security presented) be

duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and such Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or conversion of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 305, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of such series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except, to the extent provided with respect to such Security, that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent with the provisions of this Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms specified as contemplated by Section 301, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be repaid.

**Section 307. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.**

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 307, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon, and (ii) such Security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or Coupon; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

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

Every new Security of any series, with its Coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its Coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its Coupons, if any, or

the destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their Coupons, if any.

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

**Section 308. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.**

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange of such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities affected (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment. Money will be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of such Registered Securities at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Registered Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any Securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon

such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

At the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities of any series that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 306, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

**Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners.**

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Sections 306 and 308) interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security or Coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

**Section 310. Cancellation.**

All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee or the Security Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar, and any such Securities and Coupons and Securities and Coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301. All cancelled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall be returned to the Company by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, upon a Company Order. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of all cancelled Securities.

**Section 311. Computation of Interest.**

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

**Section 312. Cusip Numbers.**

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

**ARTICLE FOUR**

**SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE**

**Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.**

Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1004), and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) either

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) all
 Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all Coupons appertaining
 thereto (other than (i) Coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series surrendered
 for exchange for Registered Securities of such series and maturing after such exchange, whose
 surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 306, (ii) Securities
 and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been
 replaced or paid as provided in Section 307, (iii) Coupons appertaining to Securities of
 such series called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose
 surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1107, and (iv) Securities and Coupons of
 such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated
 and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from
 such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
 or

(B) all
 Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any such Coupons appertaining
 thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) have
 become due and payable, or

(ii) will
 become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year and such Securities are not
 convertible into other Securities, or

(iii) if
 redeemable at the option of the Company, such Securities are not convertible into other Securities
 and are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the
 Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense,
 of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose, lawful money of the United States Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal or other amounts in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than the opening of business on the due dates of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and Coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the
 Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the
 Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
 each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction
 and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

In the event there are two or more Trustees hereunder, then the effectiveness of any such instrument shall be conditioned upon receipt of such instruments from all Trustees hereunder.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

**Section 402. Application of Trust Money.**

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or this section 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the Coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and any interest or any Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

All monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.

**Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of Any Series.**

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for defeasance of Securities of any series pursuant to Section 403, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness, when

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) either

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) with
 respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the
 Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust
 for such purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on all
 Outstanding Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), any Additional
 Amounts, and interest to the Stated Maturity or any Redemption Date as contemplated by the
 penultimate paragraph of this Section 403, as the case may be; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) with
 respect to any series of Securities which are denominated in United States dollars, the Company
 has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as obligations in trust for such
 purpose, such amount of direct obligations of, or obligations the timely payment of the principal
 of and interest on which are fully guaranteed by, the United States of America and which
 are not callable at the option of the issuer thereof as will, together with the income to
 accrue thereon without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay and
 discharge the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of such series for principal
 (and premium, if any), any Additional Amounts, and interest to the stated Maturity or any
 Redemption Date as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of this Section 403; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) the
 Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified,
 as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to the Securities of such series; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the
 Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to the
 Outstanding Securities of such series; and

(3) the
 Company has delivered to the Trustee a certificate signed by a nationally recognized firm
 of Independent Public Accountants certifying as to the sufficiency of the amounts deposited
 pursuant to subsections (A) (i) or (ii) of this Section for payment of the principal (and
 premium, if any) and interest on the dates such payments are due, an Officers' Certificate
 and an Opinion of Counsel, each such Certificate and opinion stating that no Event of Default
 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with
 respect to such Securities shall have occurred and all conditions precedent herein provided
 for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding
 Securities of any such series have been complied with; and

(4) the
 Company has delivered to the Trustee

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) a
 ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of independent counsel that the holders
 of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income
 tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to
 Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would
 have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

(B) if
 the Securities of such series are then listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, an Opinion of
 Counsel that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of the exercise
 of this option.

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in subsection (1) (A) of this Section shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption or repayment provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 403 with respect to all the Outstanding Securities of any series, the terms and conditions of such series, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, other than the provisions of Sections 306, 307, and 1002, other than the right of Holders of Securities and any Coupons of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in this Section, payment of the principal (and premium, if any) of, the interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities and Coupons (if any) appertaining thereto when such payments are due, other than any right of conversion of such Securities and the rights, powers, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Company except those responsibilities and obligations which by the terms of the Indenture survive the termination of the Indenture; PROVIDED that the Company shall not be discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Securities of such series which are deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under applicable law.

**ARTICLE FIVE**

**REMEDIES**

**Section 501. Events of Default.**

"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or be effected by operation of law pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, and adjudging it a bankrupt or insolvent or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company or the Subsidiary Bank shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in any involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or the Subsidiary Bank or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or shall take any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related Coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

**Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.**

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal of all the Securities of that series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of that series, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) all
 overdue installments of interest on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of all
 Securities of such series,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) the
 principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of such series which have become due
 otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates
 borne by or provided for in such Securities,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(C) to
 the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of
 interest or any Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such
 Securities, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(D) all
 sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses,
 disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel as provided in Section
 606 hereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) all
 Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, have been cured or waived as
 provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

**Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.**

The Company covenants that if

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) default
 is made in the payment of any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts payable
 in respect of any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due
 and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default
 is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at its Maturity,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest or Additional Amounts, if any, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon overdue installments of interest or any Additional Amounts, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

**Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.**

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to
 file and prove a claim for the whole amount or such lesser amount as may be provided for
 in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and any
 Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and any Coupons appertaining
 thereto and

to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to
 collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims
 and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities or Coupons to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities or Coupons, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or Coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or Coupon in any such proceeding.

**Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons.**

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Security and Coupon in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

**Section 506. Application of Money Collected.**

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (and premium, if any), interest or any Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or Coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| FIRST: | To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606; |
| SECOND: | To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and Coupons for principal (and premium, if any), interest or any Additional Amounts, respectively; |
| THIRD: | The balance, if any, to the Company. |

---

**Section 507. Limitation on Suits.**

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related Coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such
 Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default
 with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the
 Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series
 shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
 Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such
 Holder or Holders have offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the
 costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

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

(5) no
 direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such
 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
 of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

**Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.**

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 306 and 308) interest on or any Additional Amounts in respect of such Security or payment of such Coupon on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities specified in such Security or Coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

**Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.**

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or Coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

**Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.**

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons in the last paragraph of Section 307, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of a Security or Coupon is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

**Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.**

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or Coupons may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or Coupons, as the case may be.

**Section 512. Control by Holders.**

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto, PROVIDED that

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) such
 direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

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

(3) such
 direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of such
 series.

**Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.**

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any Coupons appertaining thereto waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in
 the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts
 payable in respect of any Security of such series or any Coupons appertaining thereto, or

(2) in
 respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or
 amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

**Section 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.**

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

**ARTICLE SIX**

**THE TRUSTEE**

**Section 601. Notice of Defaults.**

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such default hereunder known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of

the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities and Coupons of such series.

**Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee.**

Subject to the provisions of Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
 Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting
 upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
 direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, or other paper or document reasonably believed
 by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any
 request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a
 Company Request or a Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any
 Coupons appertaining thereto to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section
 304 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the
 Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or Board Resolutions;

(3) whenever
 in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
 be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
 Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
 bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

(4) the
 Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion
 of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
 taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the
 Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it
 by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any
 series or any Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders
 shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable Security or indemnity satisfactory to it against
 the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
 request or direction;

(6) the
 Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in
 any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
 consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion,
 may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit,
 and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall
 be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent
 or attorney at the sole cost to the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability
 of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the
 Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder
 either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible
 for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due
 care by it hereunder;

(8) the
 Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, omitted to be taken by it in
 good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights
 or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) the
 Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any default or Event of Default
 unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written
 notice of any event which is in fact such a default or Event of Default is received by the
 Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities
 and this Indenture; and

(10) the
 rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including,
 without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable
 by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other
 Person employed to act hereunder.

**Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.**

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or Coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-l supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

**Section 604. May Hold Securities.**

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and Coupons and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.

**Section 605. Money Held In Trust.**

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder.

**Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement.**

The Company agrees

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to
 pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder
 as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Trustee in writing (which compensation
 shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of
 an express trust);

(2) except
 as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
 reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance
 with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable
 expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
 or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to
 indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee and its agents for, and to hold
 them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense including taxes (other
 than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred without
 negligence or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance
 or administration of

the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.

As Security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

The provisions of this Section 606 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

**Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests.**

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation permitted by Section 310(a) (1) and (5) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a) (2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall take such action as is required pursuant to said Section 310(b).

**Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 609.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) If at any time:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
 Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of
 the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of
 a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the
 Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written
 request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder of a Security, or

(3) the
 Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or
 a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall

take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (a) the Company, by or pursuant to Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (b) subject to Section 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of any series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Securities of such series are issued as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

**Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company and/or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be

vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and each such successor Trustee without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

**Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.**

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

**Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.**

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Authenticating Agents, which may be an Affiliate of the Company, with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue or exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 307, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as specified as contemplated by Section 301, shall at all times be a corporation that would be permitted by Section 310(a) (1) and (5) of the Trust Indenture Act to be able to act as a trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as such and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a) (2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of not less than $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section. If the

Authenticating Agent has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, with respect to the Securities of any series, the Authenticating Agent shall take action as is required pursuant to said Section 310 (b).

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall (i) mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and (ii) if Securities of the series are issued as Bearer Securities, publish notice of such appointment at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the place where such successor Authenticating Agent has its principal office if such office is located outside the United States. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

The provisions of Sections 309, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This certificate represents Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Dated: [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee | Dated: [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee |
| By: |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Authenticating Agent |
| By: |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorized Signatory |

---

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102) by the Company, shall appoint in accordance with this

Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

**ARTICLE SEVEN**

**HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY**

**Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.** 

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) semi-annually,
 not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for each series of Securities,
 a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of
 the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if
 there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually,
 upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto
 authorizing such series, and

(2) at
 such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt
 by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more
 than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

*provided, however,* that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.

**Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

**Section 703. Reports by Trustee.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the year following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and (d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

**Section 704. Reports by Company.**

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) file
 with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company actually files the same with the Commission,
 copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies
 of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules
 and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission
 pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the
 Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said
 Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules
 and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary
 and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section
 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a Security listed and registered
 on a national Securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
 regulations;

(2) file
 with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed
 from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
 respect to compliance by the Company with respect to compliance by such obligor with the
 conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules
 and regulations; and

(3) transmit
 within 30 days after the actual filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the
 extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of any information,
 documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and
 (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time
 by the Commission; and

(4) transmit
 within 90 days of December 31 of each year to the Trustee, a brief certificate from the principal
 executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company
 as to his or her knowledge of such obligor's compliance with all conditions and covenants
 under the Indenture as determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
 notice provided under the Indenture.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or other notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

**ARTICLE EIGHT**

**CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES**

**Section 801. Company May Consolidate Etc., Only on Certain Terms.**

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in
 case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer
 or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the entity
 formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires
 by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially
 as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
 States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume,
 by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental
 hereto, executed and delivered by the successor Person to the Trustee, in form satisfactory
 to the Trustee, the due and

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on or any Additional Amounts in respect of all the Securities and the performance of every other covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; |
| (2) | immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and |
| (3) | each of the Company and the successor Person has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. |

---

**Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted for Company.**

Upon any consolidation or merger or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease to another Person, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and the Coupons.

**ARTICLE NINE**

**SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES**

**Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.**

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to
 evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such
 successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to
 add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of
 Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities,
 stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series)
 or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to
 add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities
 may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment
 of principal (or premium, if any) on Registered Securities or of principal (or premium, if
 any) or any interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Registered Securities to be exchanged
 for Bearer Securities or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertified
 form, PROVIDED any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
 Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto in any material respect;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) to
 establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining thereto
 as permitted by Sections 201 and 301;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) to
 evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with
 respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions
 of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of
 the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 609(b);

(6) to
 cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective
 or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect
 to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with
 the provisions of this Indenture and which shall not adversely affect the interest of the
 Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect;

(7) to
 add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized
 amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein
 set forth;

(8) to
 add any additional Events of Default;

(9) to
 modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary
 to conform the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under this Indenture to the obligations
 imposed on such Persons hereunder pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar
 federal statute hereafter enacted and rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder;

(10) to
 make provisions with respect to the conversion rights of Holders of Convertible Securities
 pursuant to the requirements of Section 1606; or

(11) to
 add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect to one or
 more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination
 (i) shall neither (A) apply to any Security of any series issued prior to the execution of
 such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (B) modify
 the rights of the Holder of any such pre-existing series of any Security with respect to
 the application of such provision to such pre-existing series of a Security or (ii) shall
 become effective only when there is no such pre-existing series of a Security outstanding.

**Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.**

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental Indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) change
 the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security,
 or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any Additional
 Amounts payable in respect thereof, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or
 change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except
 as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount
 of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon
 a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change
 the Place of Payment, coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest
 thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
 payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after
 the Redemption Date), or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) reduce
 the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent
 of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1404 for quorum or voting, or |
| (3) | modify any of the provisions of this section, or Sections 512, 513 or Section 1011, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby. |

---

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purposes of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; PROVIDED, that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

**Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.**

**Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.**

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any Coupons appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

**Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.**

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

**Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.**

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental

indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

**Section 907. Subordination Unimpaired.**

No supplemental indenture entered into under this Article Nine shall modify, directly or indirectly, the provisions of Article Fifteen or the definition of Senior Indebtedness in Section 101 in any manner that might alter or impair the subordination of the Securities with respect to Senior Indebtedness then outstanding, unless each holder of such Senior Indebtedness has consented thereto in writing.

**ARTICLE TEN**

**COVENANTS**

**Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest.**

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any), interest on or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any Coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1004 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.

**Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.**

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of such series (but not Bearer Securities, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company shall maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Securities of such series and the related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1004) ; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London, Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1004) at the place specified for the purpose pursuant to Section 301, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company 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; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, payment of principal of and any premium and interest in U.S. dollars (including Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof) on any Bearer Security may be made at the Corporate Trust Office or any office or agency designated by the Company if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts at all offices outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the

Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. Pursuant to Section 301(9) of this Indenture, the Company may subsequently appoint a place or places where such Securities may be payable.

**Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.**

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any Securities of that series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) hold
 all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest
 on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until
 such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give
 the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities
 of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest
 on the Securities of that series; and

(3) at
 any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee,
 forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Except as otherwise provided hereby or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest and Additional Amounts on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any Coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all

liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series or to be mailed to Holders of Registered Securities for such series, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor shall it be later than two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

**Section 1004. Additional Amounts.**

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security of any such series or any Coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or any related Coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal (and premium, if any, is made)), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal (and premium, if any) of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or the Coupons appertaining thereto who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers' Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

**Section 1005. Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company will, in addition to the reports required by Section 704(4), deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (which on the date hereof ends on December 31), commencing December 31, 2013, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 102, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Deputy Chairman, Vice Chairman, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company, stating, as to each signer thereof, that

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) a
 review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture
 has been made under his supervision, and

(2) to
 the best of his knowledge, based on such review, (a) the Company has fulfilled all of its
 obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in
 the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to him and the
 nature and status thereof, and (b) no event has occurred and is continuing which is, or after
 notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such an

event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Company will deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible, and in any event, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.

**Section 1006. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.**

The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

**Section 1007. Corporate Existence.**

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises and the corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Subsidiary Bank; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such corporate existence, right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as a whole and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

**Section 1008. Waiver of Certain Covenants.**

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 1006 with respect to the Securities of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

**Section 1009. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.**

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

**ARTICLE ELEVEN**

**REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES**

**Section 1101. Applicability of Article.**

Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Company as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

**Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.**

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series, with the same issue date, interest rate and Stated Maturity, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

**Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities To Be Redeemed.**

If less than all the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein pursuant hereto.

If any Convertible Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

**Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.**

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the
 Redemption Date,

(2) the
 Redemption Price,

(3) if
 less than all outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification
 (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Securities
 to be redeemed,

(4) in
 case any Registered Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to
 such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security,
 the

Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) in
 the case of Convertible Securities, the Conversion Price then in effect, the date on which
 the right to convert the principal amount of the Securities or the portions thereof to be
 redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered
 for conversion,

(6) that
 on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security
 to be redeemed only, as to Bearer Securities, against tender of such Security and any Coupons
 appertaining thereto, and, if applicable, that interest thereon and Additional Amounts, if
 any, shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(7) the
 place or places where such Securities, together, in the case of Bearer Securities with all
 Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered
 for payment of the Redemption Price,

(8) that
 the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

(9) the
 CUSIP number, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

**Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.**

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

If any Convertible Security or portion thereof called for redemption is converted pursuant to Article Fifteen, any money deposited with the Trustee or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security or portion thereof shall (subject to any right of the Holder of the Security on a Regular Record Date preceding such conversion to receive interest) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

**Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.**

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (or any Additional Amounts) to the Redemption Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest (at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002), and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or

one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 308.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such Security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest (or any Additional Amounts) represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an office or agency located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

**Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.**

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the U.S. Depository or other depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

**Section 1108. Conversion Arrangements on Call for Redemption.**

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, in connection with any redemption of Convertible Securities of any series, the Company, by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers, may arrange for such purchasers to purchase all such Convertible Securities called for redemption which are either (i) surrendered for redemption or (ii) not duly surrendered for redemption or conversion prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date, and to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, by the purchasers' depositing with the Trustee (acting as Paying Agent with respect to the deposit of such amount and as conversion agent with respect to the conversion of such Called Securities), in trust for the Holders of the Called Securities, on or prior to the Redemption Date in the manner agreed to by the Company and such purchasers, an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price, payable by the Company on redemption of such Called Securities. In connection with any such arrangement for purchase and conversion, the Trustee as Paying Agent shall pay on or after the Redemption Date such amounts so deposited by the purchasers in exchange for Called Securities surrendered for redemption prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date and for all Called Securities surrendered after such Redemption Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article Eleven, the obligation of the Company to pay the Redemption Price of such Called Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. However, nothing in this Section 1108 shall in any way relieve the Company of the obligation to pay such Redemption Price on all Called Securities to the extent such amount is not so paid by said purchasers. For all purposes of this Indenture, any Called Securities surrendered by the Holders for redemption, and any Called Securities not duly surrendered for redemption or conversion prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date, shall be deemed acquired by such purchasers from such Holders and surrendered by such purchasers for conversion and shall in all respects be deemed to have been converted, all as of immediately prior to

the close of business on the Redemption Date, subject to the deposit by the purchasers of the above amount as aforesaid. Nothing in this Section 1108 shall in any way limit the right of any Holder of a Security to convert his Security pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and of such Security at any time prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date applicable thereto.

**ARTICLE TWELVE**

**SINKING FUNDS**

**Section 1201. Applicability of Article.**

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

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

**Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.**

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, PROVIDED that such series of Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

**Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.**

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officers' Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to

be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

**ARTICLE THIRTEEN**

**REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS**

**Section 1301. Applicability of Article.**

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 310, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article Thirteen, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

**ARTICLE FOURTEEN**

**MEETINGS OF HOLDERS**

**Section 1401. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.**

A meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

**Section 1402. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, to be held at such time and at such place in the Principle Office of the Trustee, or, if Securities of such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities, in London, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

**Section 1403. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.**

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

**Section 1404. Quorum; Action.**

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in section 1402 (a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining thereto, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

**Section 1405. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1402 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

**Section 1406. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.**

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.

A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1402 and, if applicable, Section 1404. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

**ARTICLE FIFTEEN**

**SUBORDINATION**

**Section 1501. Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.**

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities, by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities and the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of Senior Indebtedness.

Anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to all Senior Indebtedness:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) In
 the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership, liquidation,
 reorganization, arrangement or other similar proceedings in connection therewith, relative
 to the Company or to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation,
 dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy,
 then the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all
 principal, premium and interest on all Senior Indebtedness before the Holders of the Securities
 are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal, premium, if any, interest or
 Additional Amounts upon the Securities, and to that end (but subject to the power of a court
 of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provisions reflecting the rights conferred
 in the Securities

upon Senior Indebtedness and the Holders thereof with respect to the subordinated indebtedness represented by the Securities and the Holders hereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive for application in payment thereof any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash or property or securities, which may be payable or deliverable in any such proceedings in respect of the Securities after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution in respect of such Senior Indebtedness, except securities which are subordinate and junior in right of payment to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) In
 the event that any Security of any series is declared or otherwise becomes due and payable
 before its expressed maturity because of the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder
 (under circumstances when the provisions of the foregoing clause (1) or the following clause
 (3) shall not be applicable), the holders of Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time
 such Security so becomes due and payable because of such occurrence of an Event of Default
 hereunder shall, so long as such declaration has not been rescinded and annulled pursuant
 to Section 502, be entitled to receive payment in full of all principal of, and premium and
 interest on, all such Senior Indebtedness before the Holders of the Securities of such series
 are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest
 and Additional Amounts on the Securities of such series. However, nothing herein shall prevent
 the Holders of Securities from seeking any remedy allowed at law or at equity so long as
 any judgment or decree obtained thereby makes provision for enforcing this clause; and

(3) In
 the event that any default shall occur and be continuing with respect to any Senior Indebtedness
 permitting the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity thereof, if
 either

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) notice
 of such default, in writing or by telegram, shall have been given to the Company and to the
 Trustee, provided that judicial proceedings shall be commenced in respect of such default
 within 180 days in the case of a default in payment of principal or interest and within 90
 days in the case of any other default after the giving of such notice, and provided further
 that only one such notice shall be given pursuant to this Section 1601(3) in any twelve months
 period, or

(B) judicial
 proceedings shall be pending in respect of such default, the Holders of the Securities and
 the Trustee for their benefit shall not be entitled to receive any payment on account of
 principal, premium, if any, or interest and Additional Amounts thereon (including any such
 payment which would cause such default) unless payment in full of all principal of, and premium
 and interest on, such Senior Indebtedness shall have been made or provided for. The Trustee,
 forthwith upon receipt of any notice received by it pursuant to this Section 1601(3), shall,
 as soon as practicable, send a notice thereof to each Holder of Securities at the time outstanding
 as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Security Register.

In case despite the foregoing provisions, any payment or distribution shall, in any such event, be paid or delivered to any Holder of the Securities or to the Trustee for their benefit before all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for and so paid and delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (or their duly authorized representatives) until all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full.

The Company shall give written notice to the Trustee within five days after the occurrence of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement or similar proceeding of the Company within the meaning of this Section 1601. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Fifteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors or other liquidating agent making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons

entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fifteen.

The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of any such holder). In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Section 1601, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such person, as to the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Section 1601, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.

**Section 1502. Subrogation.**

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness to which the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is in the circumstances subordinated as provided in Section 1601, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Securities shall be paid in full. As between the Company, its creditors other than holders of such Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, no such payment or distribution made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by virtue of this Article Fifteen which otherwise would have been made to the Holders of the Securities shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company on account of such Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of this Article Fifteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

**Section 1503. Obligation of Company Unconditional.**

Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) is
 intended to or shall impair as between its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness
 and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company which is absolute and unconditional,
 to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any), interest
 on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities as and when the same shall
 become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) is
 intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors
 of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) prevent
 the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted
 by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under
 this Article Fifteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or
 securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such Upon any payment or distribution
 of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Fifteen, the Trustee and the Holders
 of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of
 competent jurisdiction in which any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization
 proceeding affecting the affairs of the Company is pending or upon a certificate of the trustee
 in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidating trustee or agent
 or other person making any payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders
 of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in
 such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness
 of the Company the amount thereof or payable

thereon, the amount paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fifteen.

**Section 1504. Payment on Securities Permitted.**

Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in any of the Securities, shall affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making payment of the principal of (or premium, if any), interest or any Additional Amounts on the Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof, except as otherwise provided in this Article Fifteen.

**Section 1505. Effectuation of Subordination by Trustee.**

Each Holder of Securities, by his or her acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee in his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen and appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

**Section 1506. Knowledge of Trustee.**

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Fifteen or any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee, or the taking of any other action by the Trustee, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company, any Holder of the Securities, any paying agent of the Company or the holder or representative of any class of Senior Indebtedness.

**Section 1507. Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.**

Except as otherwise provided in the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fifteen with respect to any Senior Indebtedness at the time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, nothing in this Article Fifteen shall apply to or limit claims of or payment to the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 506 and 606.

With respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fifteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders, the Company or any other Person monies or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fifteen or otherwise.

No recourse may be taken with respect to the obligations of the Issuer or the Trustee against the Trustee in its individual capacity.

**Section 1508. Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Not Impaired.**

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination herein shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any non-compliance by the Company with the terms, provisions or covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

**ARTICLE SIXTEEN**

**CONVERSION**

**Section 1601. Conversion Privilege.**

Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article Fifteen and the terms of the Convertible Securities of the series proposed to be converted, at the option of the Holder, any Convertible Security or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, may be converted into shares of Common Stock, as said shares shall be constituted at the Date of Conversion, at the Conversion Price for such Convertible Securities of such series in effect at the Date of Conversion.

**Section 1602. Manner of Exercise of Convertible Privilege.**

In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Convertible Security to be converted shall surrender such Convertible Security to the Company at its office or agency, together with the conversion notice in the form provided on the Securities (or separate written notice) duly executed, and, if so required by the Company, accompanied by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder or by his duly authorized attorney in writing. Any registered Convertible Security so surrendered during the period from the close of business on the Regular Record Date preceding an Interest Payment Date for such registered Convertible Security to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall (unless any such registered Convertible Security or the portion thereof being converted shall have been called for redemption on a Redemption Date during such period, in which event no interest shall be payable with respect to such registered Convertible Security or portion thereof, as the case may be, following such Redemption Date) also be accompanied by payment in Clearing House funds or other funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such registered Convertible Security then being converted; provided, however, that no such payment need be made if there shall exist, at the time of conversion, a default in the payment of interest on the Convertible Securities of such series. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no adjustment shall be made for interest accrued on any Convertible Security that shall be converted or for dividends on any shares of Common Stock that shall be delivered upon the conversion of such Convertible Securities. The funds so delivered to such office or agency shall be paid to the Company on or after such Interest Payment Date, unless the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which event such funds shall be repaid to the Person who delivered the same. As promptly as practicable after the surrender of any Convertible Security for conversion as aforesaid, the Company shall deliver at said office or agency to such Holder, or on his written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares deliverable upon the conversion of such Convertible Security or portion thereof and a check or cash in respect of any fraction of a share of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon such conversion, all as provided in this Article Fifteen, together with a Convertible Security or Convertible Securities of the same series in principal amount equal to the unconverted and unredeemed portion, if any, of the Convertible Security so converted in accordance with Section 306 hereof. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date on which such notice shall have been received at said office or agency and such Convertible Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid, and the Person or Persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be deliverable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby, provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the Person or Persons in whose name or names the certificates are to be delivered as the record Holder or Holders thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date of such surrender.

**Section 1603. Cash Adjustment Upon Conversion.**

The Company shall not be required to deliver fractions of shares of Common Stock upon conversions of Convertible Securities. If more than one Convertible Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be deliverable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the

basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities so surrendered. If any fractional interest in a share of Common Stock would be deliverable upon the conversion of any Convertible Security or Securities, the Company shall make an adjustment therefor in cash equal to the current market value of such fractional interest computed to the nearest cent either on the basis of the last reported sale price regular way of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market (or, if not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, then on such other exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed as the Company may designate) on the last Business Day prior to the Date of Conversion or, if there shall not have been a sale on such last Business Day, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked quotations therefor on such exchange on such last Business Day or, if the Common Stock shall not then be listed on any exchange, at the highest bid quotation in the over-the- counter market on such last Business Day as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers through NASDAQ, its automated system for reporting quotes, or its successor or such other generally accepted source of publicly reported bid and asked quotations as the Company may reasonably designate.

**Section 1604. Conversion Price.**

The Conversion Price applicable to any series of Convertible Securities shall be the initial Conversion Price set forth on the Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing such series adjusted as provided in this Article Fifteen.

**Section 1605. Adjustment of Conversion Price.**

The Conversion Price applicable to any series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time while the Securities of any series are outstanding, (i) pay a dividend on its Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (iii) combine its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price for such series in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Holder of any Security of such series thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company which he would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had such Convertible Security of such series been converted immediately prior to the happening of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to this subdivision (a) shall become effective, in the case of a dividend, on the payment date retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1605, and shall become effective in the case of a subdivision or combination immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day when such subdivision or combination, as the case may be, becomes effective.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time while the Convertible Securities of any series are outstanding, issue rights or warrants to all holders of its shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 days of the record date mentioned below) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined in paragraph (d) below) at such record date, the Conversion Price of any series of Convertible Securities in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such rights or warrants shall be adjusted as follows: the number of shares of Common Stock into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series was theretofore convertible shall be multiplied by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such record date plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so offered would purchase at such current market price; and the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted by dividing $1,000 by the new number of shares into which $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series shall be convertible as aforesaid. Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of such issuance retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1605. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the

holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such current market price, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) In case the Company shall, at any time from time to time while the Convertible Securities of any series are outstanding, distribute to all holders of shares of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness or securities or assets (excluding cash dividends or cash distributions payable out of consolidated net earnings or retained earnings) or rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share of Common Stock, determined in the manner set forth in paragraph (d) below, but excluding rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (b) above, the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities in effect immediately prior to such distribution shall be adjusted by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series of Convertible Securities was theretofore convertible by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined in paragraph (d) below) on the record date for such distribution, and of which the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock, less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of such evidences of indebtedness, securities or assets or of such subscription rights or warrants so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; and the Conversion Price for such series of Convertible Securities shall be adjusted by dividing $1,000 by the new number of shares into which $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Securities of such series shall be convertible as aforesaid. Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of such distribution retroactively to immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 1605. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) consolidated net earnings or retained earnings shall be computed by adding thereto all charges against retained earnings on account of dividends paid in shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Conversion Price has been adjusted, all as determined by Independent Public Accountants, whose determination shall be conclusive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) For the purpose of any computation under paragraphs (b) and (c) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock at any date shall be deemed to be the average of the market values of the shares of Common Stock for the ten consecutive Business Days immediately preceding the day in question. The market value of the Common Stock for each day shall be determined as provided in Section 1603 hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Company may make such reductions in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities, in addition to those required by paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Except as herein otherwise provided, no adjustment in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be made by reason of the issuance, in exchange for cash, property or services, of shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of its shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive any dividend or any subscription or purchase rights or any distribution and shall, thereafter and before the distribution to shareholders of any such dividend, subscription or purchase rights or distribution, legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend, subscription or purchase rights or distribution, then no adjustment of the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) No adjustment in the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph (h) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Article Fifteen shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) Whenever the Conversion Price for any series of Convertible Securities is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall (i) forthwith place on file at the Principal Office of the Trustee an Officers' Certificate showing in detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion Price after such adjustment and shall exhibit the same from time to time to any Holder of Convertible Securities of such series desiring an inspection thereof, and (ii) cause a notice stating that such adjustment has been effected and the adjusted Conversion Price to be mailed to the Holders of Registered Convertible Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) The Company may delete, modify or vary any of the provisions applicable to conversion of the Convertible Securities of any series, or may add new provisions applicable thereto, all as may be contained in the Board Resolutions and Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing such series.

**Section 1606. Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Mergers or Sales on Conversion Privilege.**

In case of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of the class of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), or in case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities), or in case of the merger of the Company into another corporation, or in case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the Holder of Convertible Securities then outstanding shall have the right to convert such Convertible Security into the kind and amount of shares of capital stock or other securities and property, including cash, receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Convertible Security might have been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. In any such case the Company, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee one or more supplemental indentures (which shall conform to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution of such supplemental indenture) containing provisions to the effect set forth above in this Section 1606 and providing further for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article Fifteen; and any such adjustment which shall be approved by the Board of Directors and set forth in such supplemental indenture or supplemental indentures shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Section, and the Trustee shall not be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provision contained in such supplemental indenture or supplemental indentures relating to either the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property receivable by Holders of Securities of any series upon the conversion of their Convertible Securities after any such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.

The above provisions of this Section 1606 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, sales and conveyances.

**Section 1607. Taxes on Conversions.**

The issue of stock certificates on conversions of Convertible Securities shall be made without charge to the converting Holder of Convertible Securities for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares in any name other than that of the Holder of any registered Convertible Security converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

**Section 1608. Company to Reserve Common Stock.**

The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued shares or its issued shares held in its treasury, or both, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Securities, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Securities.

If any shares of Common Stock reserved or to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of Securities hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or State law before such shares may be validly delivered upon conversion, then the Company covenants that it will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure registration or approval, as the case may be.

The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be delivered upon conversion of Convertible Securities shall upon delivery be fully paid and nonassessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue or delivery thereof.

**Section 1609. Disclaimer by Trustee of Responsibility for Certain Matters.**

Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Convertible Securities of any series to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price for such series, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same, subject, however, to the provisions of Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Convertible Security; and neither of them makes any representation with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article Sixteen.

**Section 1610. Company to Give Notice of Certain Events.**

In the event:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) that
 the Company shall pay any dividend or make any distribution to the holders of shares of Common
 Stock otherwise than in cash charged against consolidated net earnings or retained earnings
 of the Company and its consolidated net earnings or retained earnings of the Company and
 its consolidated subsidiaries or in Common Stock; or

(2) that
 the Company shall offer for subscription or purchase, pro rata, to the holders of shares
 of Common Stock any additional shares of stock of any class or any securities convertible
 into or exchangeable for stock of any class; or

(3) of
 any reclassification or change in outstanding shares of the class of Common Stock issuable
 upon the conversion of the Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value
 to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination),
 or of any merger or consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, another
 corporation (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing
 corporation and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding shares
 of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities), or of any sale or conveyance
 to another corporation of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as
 an entirety;

then, and in any one or more of such events, the Company will give to the Trustee and each conversion agent written notice thereof at least fifteen days prior to (i) the record date fixed with respect to any of the events specified in (1) and (2) above, and (ii) the effective date of any of the events specified in (3) above; and shall mail promptly a copy

of such notice to the Holders of Registered Convertible Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

\* \* \* \* \*

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

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

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Name: |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Title: |
| [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee | [ ],<br> not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee |
| By: |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Name: |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Title: |

---

## Exhibit 4.12

**Exhibit 4.12**

**FORM OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT**

This DEPOSIT AGREEMENT ("<u>Deposit Agreement</u>") is made and entered into as of , 20 , by and among Southern First Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, , and all holders from time to time of Receipts (as hereinafter defined) issued hereunder.

**WITNESSETH:**

WHEREAS, it is desired to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of shares of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined) with the Depositary (as hereinafter defined) for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement and for the issuance hereunder of the Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares (as hereinafter defined), on the date hereof representing a fractional interest in the deposited Preferred Stock; and

WHEREAS, the Receipts are to be substantially in the form as set forth in <u>Exhibit A</u> annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein, it is agreed by and among the parties hereto as follows:

**ARTICLE I<br> DEFINITIONS**

The following definitions shall apply to the respective terms (in the singular and plural forms of such terms) used in this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts:

"<u>Articles of Amendment</u>" shall mean the Articles of Amendment filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina designating shares of preferred stock of the Company as Preferred Stock.

"<u>Articles of Incorporation</u>" shall mean the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and supplemented from time to time.

"<u>Company</u>" shall mean Southern First Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, and its successors.

"<u>Corporate Office</u>" shall mean the corporate office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its business in respect of matters governed by this Deposit Agreement shall be administered, which at the date of this Deposit Agreement is located at .

"<u>Depositary</u>" shall mean , and any successor as depositary hereunder.

"<u>Depositary Share</u>" shall mean a 1/ fractional interest of a share of Preferred Stock deposited with the Depositary hereunder and the same proportionate interest in any and all other property received by the Depositary in respect of such share of Preferred Stock and held under this Deposit Agreement, all as evidenced by the Receipts issued hereunder. Subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share is entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the

Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share, including the dividend and distribution, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights contained in the Articles of Amendment.

"<u>Exchange Event</u>" shall mean with respect to any Global Registered Receipt:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) (A) the Global Receipt Depository which is the holder of such Global Registered Receipt or Receipts notifies the Company that it is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities under any Letter of Representations or that it is no longer eligible or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (B) the Company has not appointed a qualified successor Global Receipt Depository within ninety (90) calendar days after the Company received such notice, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Company in its sole discretion notifies the Depositary in writing that the Receipts or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Registered Receipts shall no longer be represented by such Global Receipt or Receipts.

"<u>Global Receipt Depository</u>" shall mean, with respect to any Receipt issued hereunder, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or such other entity designated as Global Receipt Depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, which Person must be, to the extent required by any applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"<u>Global Registered Receipt</u>" shall mean a global registered Receipt registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.

"<u>Letter of Representations</u>" shall mean any applicable agreement among the Company, the Depositary and a Global Receipt Depository with respect to such Global Receipt Depository's rights and obligations with respect to any Global Registered Receipts, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time and any successor agreement thereto.

"<u>Preferred Stock</u>" shall mean shares of the Company's .

"<u>Receipt</u>" shall mean a Depositary Receipt issued hereunder to evidence one or more Depositary Shares, whether in definitive or temporary form, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

"<u>record date</u>" shall mean the date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04.

"<u>record holder</u>" or "<u>holder</u>" as applied to a Receipt shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books maintained by the Depositary for such purpose.

"<u>redemption date</u>" shall mean the date fixed for redemption of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares contemplated in Section 2.03.

"<u>Registrar</u>" shall mean , or any bank or trust company appointed to register ownership and transfers of Receipts or the deposited Preferred Stock, as the case may be, as herein provided.

"<u>Securities Act</u>" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

"<u>Signature Guarantee</u>" shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.04.

"<u>Special Damages</u>" shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.07.

"<u>Transfer Agent</u>" shall mean , or any bank or trust company appointed to transfer the Receipts or the deposited Preferred Stock, as the case may be, as herein provided.

**ARTICLE II<br> FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF PREFERRED STOCK, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER, SURRENDER AND REDEMPTION OF RECEIPTS**

SECTION 2.01. *<u>Form and Transferability of Receipts</u>*. Definitive Receipts shall be engraved or printed or lithographed with steel-engraved borders and underlying tint and shall be substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Pending the preparation of definitive Receipts, the Depositary, upon the written order of the Company, delivered in compliance with Section 2.02, shall execute and deliver temporary Receipts which may be printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise substantially of the tenor of the definitive Receipts in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the persons executing such Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Receipts. If temporary Receipts are issued, the Company and the Depositary will cause definitive Receipts to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Receipts, the temporary Receipts shall be exchangeable for definitive Receipts upon surrender of the temporary Receipts at the Corporate Office or such other offices, if any, as the Depositary may designate, without charge to the holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the Depositary shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Receipts representing the same number of Depositary Shares as represented by the surrendered temporary Receipt or Receipts. Such exchange shall be made at the Company's expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Deposit Agreement, and with respect to the Preferred Stock deposited, as definitive Receipts.

Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, provided that if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) shall have been appointed, then such Receipts shall also be countersigned by manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of such Registrar. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless it shall have been executed as provided in the preceding sentence. The Depositary shall record on its books each Receipt executed as provided above and delivered as hereinafter provided.

Except as the Depositary may otherwise determine, Receipts shall be in denominations of any number of whole Depositary Shares. All Receipts shall be dated the date of their issuance.

Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Company or required to comply with any applicable law or regulation or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system upon which the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be listed or quoted or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject, in each case, as directed by the Company.

Title to any Receipt (and to the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt) that is properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement shall be transferable

by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that until a Receipt shall be transferred on the books of the Registrar, the Depositary may, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, treat the record holder thereof at such time as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to dividends or other distributions, the exercise of any redemption or voting rights or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes.

The Receipts may be issued in the form of one or more Global Registered Receipts, in which case, the Depositary shall, in accordance with the other provisions of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver one or more Global Registered Receipts evidencing the Receipts, which (i) shall represent the aggregate number of Depositary Shares to be represented by such Receipts, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Global Receipt Depository therefor or its nominee.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, unless otherwise provided in the Global Registered Receipt, a Global Registered Receipt may only be transferred in whole and only by the applicable Global Receipt Depository for such Global Registered Receipt to a nominee of such Global Receipt Depository, or by a nominee of such Global Receipt Depository to such Global Receipt Depository or another nominee of such Global Receipt Depository, or by such Global Receipt Depository or any such nominee to a successor Global Receipt Depository for such Global Registered Receipt selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Global Receipt Depository. Except as provided below, owners solely of beneficial interests in a Global Registered Receipt shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Receipts represented by such Global Registered Receipt. Neither any such beneficial owner nor any direct or indirect participant of a Global Receipt Depository shall have any rights under this Deposit Agreement with respect to any Global Registered Receipt held on their behalf by a Global Receipt Depository and such Global Receipt Depository may be treated by the Company, the Depositary and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or the Depositary as the holder of such Global Registered Receipt for all purposes whatsoever. Unless and until definitive Receipts are delivered to the owners of the beneficial interests in a Global Registered Receipt, (1) the applicable Global Receipt Depository will make book-entry transfers among its participants and receive and transmit all payments and distributions in respect of the Global Registered Receipts to such participants, in each case, in accordance with its applicable procedures and arrangements, and (2) whenever any notice, payment or other communication to the holders of Global Registered Receipts is required under this Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall give all such notices, payments and communications specified herein to be given to such holders to the applicable Global Receipt Depository.

If an Exchange Event has occurred with respect to any Global Registered Receipt, then, in any such event, the Depositary shall, upon receipt of a written order from the Company for the execution and delivery of individual definitive registered Receipts in exchange for such Global Registered Receipt, shall execute and deliver, individual definitive registered Receipts, in authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Registered Receipt in exchange for such Global Registered Receipt.

Definitive registered Receipts issued in exchange for a Global Registered Receipt pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Global Receipt Depository for such Global Registered Receipt, pursuant to instructions from its participants, shall instruct the Depositary in writing. The Depositary shall deliver such Receipts to the persons in whose names such Receipts are so registered.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, should the Company determine that the Receipts should be issued as a Global Registered Receipt, the parties hereto shall comply with the terms of each Letter of Representations.

SECTION 2.02. *<u>Deposit of Preferred Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in Respect Thereof</u>*. Concurrently with the execution of this Deposit Agreement, the Company is delivering to the Depositary a certificate or certificates, registered in the name of the Depositary and evidencing shares of Preferred Stock, properly endorsed or accompanied, if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with (i) all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and (ii) a written letter of instruction of the Company directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the Depositary Shares representing such deposited Preferred Stock. The Depositary acknowledges receipt of the deposited Preferred Stock and related documentation and agrees to hold such deposited Preferred Stock in an account to be established by the Depositary at the Corporate Office or at such other office as the Depositary shall determine. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as the Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Preferred Stock deposited hereunder and the Depositary hereby accepts such appointment and, as such, will reflect changes in the number of shares (including any fractional shares) of deposited Preferred Stock held by it by notation, book-entry or other appropriate method. The Depositary also acknowledges that the Company may deposit additional shares of Preferred Stock from time to time after the date hereof.

If required by the Depositary, Preferred Stock presented for deposit by the Company at any time, whether or not the register of stockholders of the Company is closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that will provide for the prompt transfer to the Depositary or its nominee of any distribution or right to subscribe for additional Preferred Stock or to receive other property that any person in whose name the Preferred Stock is or has been registered may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Preferred Stock, or in lieu thereof such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.

Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for Preferred Stock deposited hereunder, together with the other documents specified above, and upon registering such Preferred Stock in the name of the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver to, or upon the order of, the person or persons named in the written order delivered to the Depositary referred to in the first paragraph of this Section 2.02 a Receipt or Receipts for the number of whole Depositary Shares representing the Preferred Stock so deposited and registered in such name or names as may be requested by such person or persons. The Depositary shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Corporate Office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of any person requesting such delivery, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be designated by such person.

Other than in the case of splits, combinations or other reclassifications affecting the Preferred Stock, or in the case of distributions of Preferred Stock, if any, there shall be deposited hereunder not more than the number of shares constituting the Preferred Stock as set forth in the Articles of Amendment, as such may be amended.

The Company shall deliver to the Depositary from time to time such quantities of Receipts as the Depositary may request to enable the Depositary to perform its obligations under this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 2.03. *<u>Optional Redemption of Preferred Stock for Cash</u>*. Whenever the Company shall elect to redeem shares of deposited Preferred Stock for cash in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Amendment, it shall (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Depositary) give the Depositary not less than 30 days' prior written notice of the date of such proposed redemption and of the number of such shares of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary to be redeemed and the applicable redemption price, as set forth in the Articles of Amendment, including the amount, if any, of accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption. The Depositary shall mail, first-class postage prepaid, notice of the redemption of Preferred Stock and the proposed simultaneous redemption of the Depositary Shares representing the Preferred Stock to be redeemed, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares (the "redemption date"), to the record holders of the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed, at the addresses of such holders as the same appear on the records of the Depositary; provided that if the Depositary Shares are held in the form of Global Registered Receipts through the Global Receipt Depositary, the Company may provide such notice of redemption in any manner permitted by such Global Receipt Depositary. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the sufficiency of notice or validity of the proceedings for redemption except as to a holder to whom notice was defective or not given. A redemption notice which has been mailed in the manner provided herein shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given on the date mailed whether or not the holder received the redemption notice. The Company shall provide the Depositary with such notice, and each such notice shall state: the redemption date; the redemption price and accrued and unpaid dividends payable on the redemption date; the number of shares of deposited Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares to be redeemed; if fewer than all the Depositary Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the number of such Depositary Shares held by such holder to be so redeemed; the place or places where Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares to be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid dividends payable on the redemption date; and that from and after the redemption date dividends in respect of the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all of the outstanding Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional Depositary Shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the Company.

In the event that notice of redemption has been made as described in the immediately preceding paragraph and the Company shall then have paid or caused to be paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price (determined pursuant to the Articles of Amendment) of the Preferred Stock deposited with the Depositary to be redeemed (including any accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the redemption date), the Depositary shall redeem the number of Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock so called for redemption by the Company and from and after the redemption date (unless the Company shall have failed to pay for the shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed by it as set forth in the Company's notice provided for in the preceding paragraph), all dividends in respect of the shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption shall cease to accrue, the Depositary Shares called for redemption shall be deemed no longer to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares (except the right to receive the redemption price plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the redemption date) shall, to the extent of such Depositary Shares, cease and terminate. Upon surrender in accordance with said notice of the Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Depositary or applicable law shall so require), such Depositary Shares shall be redeemed at a redemption price of $ per Depositary Share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the redemption date. The foregoing shall be further subject to the terms and conditions of the Articles of Amendment. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of the Articles of Amendment, the provisions of the Articles of Amendment will govern and the Company will instruct the Depositary accordingly.

If fewer than all of the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt are called for redemption, the Depositary will deliver to the holder of such Receipt upon its surrender to the Depositary, together with payment of the redemption price for and all other amounts payable in respect of the Depositary Shares called for redemption, a new Receipt evidencing such holder's Depositary Shares evidenced by such prior Receipt that are not called for redemption.

The Company acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by the Depositary in connection with the performance of the services described herein will be in the name of the Depositary and that the Depositary may receive investment earnings in connection with the investment at the Depositary's risk and for its benefit of funds held in those accounts from time to time.

SECTION 2.04. *<u>Registration of Transfers of Receipts</u>*. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as the Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Receipts and the Depositary hereby accepts such appointment and, as such, the Depositary shall register on its books from time to time transfers of Receipts upon any surrender thereof by the holder in person or by a duly authorized attorney, agent or representative, properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement and including a guarantee of the signature thereon by a participant in a signature guarantee medallion program approved by the Securities Transfer Association (a "<u>Signature Guarantee</u>"), together with evidence of the payment of any transfer taxes as may be required by applicable law. Upon such surrender, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.

SECTION 2.05. *<u>Combinations and Split-ups of Receipts</u>*. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the Corporate Office or such other office as the Depositary may designate for the purpose of effecting a split up or combination of Receipts, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts in the authorized denominations requested evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.

SECTION 2.06. *<u>Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Preferred Stock</u>*. Any holder of a Receipt or Receipts may withdraw any or all of the whole shares of deposited Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt or Receipts and all money and other property, if any, represented by such Depositary Shares by surrendering such Receipt or Receipts at the Corporate Office or at such other office as the Depositary may designate for such withdrawals. Fractional shares of Preferred Stock may not be withdrawn by any holder. After such surrender, without unreasonable delay, the Depositary shall deliver to such holder, or to the person or persons designated by such holder as hereinafter provided, the number of whole shares of such Preferred Stock and all such money and other property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts so surrendered for withdrawal, but holders of such whole shares of Preferred Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Preferred Stock hereunder or to receive Depositary Shares therefor. If the Receipt or Receipts delivered by the holder to the Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of deposited Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the same time, in addition to such number of whole shares of Preferred Stock and such money and other property, if any, to be withdrawn, deliver to such holder, or (subject to Section 2.04) upon his order, a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares. Delivery of such Preferred Stock and such money and other property being withdrawn may be made by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other instruments as

the Depositary may deem appropriate, which, if required by the Depositary, shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement.

If the deposited Preferred Stock and the money and other property being withdrawn are to be delivered to a person or persons other than the record holder of the Receipt or Receipts being surrendered for withdrawal of Preferred Stock, such holder shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing the Depositary and the Depositary may require that the Receipt or Receipts surrendered by such holder for withdrawal of such whole shares of Preferred Stock be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement in blank with a Signature Guarantee.

The Depositary shall deliver the whole shares of deposited Preferred Stock and the money and other property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts surrendered for withdrawal at the Corporate Office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of the holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account of the holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be designated by such holder.

SECTION 2.07. *<u>Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Split-up, Combination</u>*. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or exchange of any Receipt, the Depositary or the Company may require any or all of the following: (i) payment to it of a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in the event that the Depositary or the Company shall have made such payment, the reimbursement to it) of any tax or other governmental charge with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge with respect to the Preferred Stock being withdrawn); (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature (or the authority of any signature), including a Signature Guarantee; and (iii) compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary or the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and as may be required by any securities exchange upon which the deposited Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be included for quotation or listed.

The transfer of Receipts may be refused, and the transfer, split-up, combination, surrender, exchange or redemption of outstanding Receipts may be suspended (i) during any period when the register of stockholders of the Company is closed or (ii) if any such action is deemed reasonably necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of applicable law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 2.08. *<u>Lost Receipts, etc</u>.* In case any Receipt shall be mutilated or destroyed or lost or stolen, the Depositary in its discretion may execute and deliver a Receipt of like form and tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, provided that the holder thereof provides the Depositary with (i) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary of such destruction, loss or theft of such Receipt, of the authenticity thereof and of his ownership thereof and (ii) reasonable indemnification and the provision of an open penalty surety bond, in each case, satisfactory to the Depositary and the Company and holding the Depositary and the Company harmless.

SECTION 2.09. *<u>Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts</u>*. All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or regulation, the Depositary is authorized to destroy such Receipts so cancelled.

**ARTICLE III<br> CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS OF RECEIPTS AND THE COMPANY**

SECTION 3.01. *<u>Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information</u>*. Any holder of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file such proof of residence or other information and to execute such certificates as the Depositary or the Company may reasonably deem necessary or proper. The Depositary or the Company may withhold or delay the delivery of any Receipt, the transfer, redemption or exchange of any Receipt, the withdrawal of the deposited Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by any Receipt, the distribution of any distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof, until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed.

SECTION 3.02. *<u>Payment of Fees and Expenses</u>*. Holders of Receipts shall be obligated to make payments to the Depositary of certain fees and expenses, as provided in Section 5.08, or provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that such fees and expenses have been paid. Until such payment is made, transfer of any Receipt or any withdrawal of the Preferred Stock or money or other property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt may be refused, any distribution may be withheld, and any part or all of the Preferred Stock or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt may be sold for the account of the holder thereof (after attempting by reasonable means to notify such holder a reasonable number of days prior to such sale). Any distribution so withheld and the proceeds of any such sale may be applied to any payment of such fees or expenses, the holder of such Receipt remaining liable for any deficiency.

SECTION 3.03. *<u>Representations and Warranties as to Preferred Stock</u>*. In the case of the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock hereunder, the Company shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that the Preferred Stock and each certificate therefor are valid and that such deposit has been duly authorized. The Company hereby further represents and warrants that such Preferred Stock is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of the Preferred Stock and the issuance of Receipts.

SECTION 3.04. *<u>Representation and Warranty as to Receipts and Depositary Shares</u>*. The Company hereby represents and warrants that the Receipts, when issued, will evidence legal and valid interests in the Depositary Shares and each Depositary Share will represent a legal and valid fractional interest in a share of deposited Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of the Preferred Stock and the issuance of Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares.

**ARTICLE IV<br> THE PREFERRED STOCK; NOTICES**

SECTION 4.01. *<u>Dividends and Other Cash Distributions</u>*. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any dividend or other cash distributions on the deposited Preferred Stock, including any cash received upon redemption of any shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.03, the Depositary shall, subject to Section 3.02, distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of such sum as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders; provided, however, that, in case the Company or the Depositary shall be required by law to withhold and shall withhold from any cash distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock an amount on account of taxes or as otherwise required by law, regulation or court process, the amount made available for distribution or distributed in respect of

Depositary Shares shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute or make available for distribution, as the case may be, only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any holder of Receipts a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributable shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and be treated as part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to record holders of Receipts then outstanding.

SECTION 4.02. *<u>Distributions Other Than Cash</u>*. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than cash on the deposited Preferred Stock, the Depositary shall, subject to Section 3.02, distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of the securities or other property received by it as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders, in any manner that the Depositary and the Company may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution. If in the opinion of the Depositary after consultation with the Company, such distribution cannot be made proportionately among such record holders, or if for any other reason (including any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes) the Depositary deems, after consultation with the Company, such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or other property thus received, or any part thereof, at such place or places and upon such terms as the Depositary may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Section 3.02, be distributed or made available for distribution, as the case may be, by the Depositary to record holders of Receipts as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Depositary shall not be obligated hereunder to make any distribution of such securities to the holders of Receipts unless the Company shall have provided to the Depositary, upon request of the Depositary, an opinion of counsel stating that such securities have been registered under the Securities Act or do not need to be registered thereunder in order to be freely transferable.

SECTION 4.03. *<u>Subscription Rights, Preferences or Privileges</u>*. If the Company shall at any time offer or cause to be offered with respect to the deposited Preferred Stock any rights, preferences or privileges to subscribe for or to purchase any securities or any rights, preferences or privileges of any other nature, the offering of such rights, preferences or privileges shall in each such instance be communicated to the Depositary and thereafter made available by the Depositary to the record holders of Receipts in such manner as the Company shall instruct (including by the issue to such record holders of warrants representing such rights, preferences or privileges); provided, however, that (i) if at the time of issue or offer of any such rights, preferences or privileges the Company determines upon advice of its legal counsel that it is not lawful or feasible to make such rights, preferences or privileges available to the holders of Receipts (by the issue of warrants or otherwise) or (ii) if and to the extent instructed by holders of Receipts who do not desire to exercise such rights, preferences or privileges, the Depositary shall then, if so instructed by the Company, and if applicable laws or the terms of such rights, preferences or privileges so permit, sell such rights, preferences or privileges of such holders at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Section 3.01 and Section 3.02, be distributed by the Depositary to the record holders of Receipts entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Depositary shall not be obligated hereunder to make any distribution of such rights, preferences or privileges, unless the Company shall have provided to the Depositary, upon request of the Depositary, an opinion of counsel stating that such rights, preferences or privileges have been registered under the Securities Act or do not need to be registered thereunder in order to be freely transferable.

SECTION 4.04. *<u>Notice of Distributions; Fixing of Record Date for Holders of Receipts</u>*. Whenever any dividend or other cash distributions shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall at any time be offered, with respect to the deposited Preferred Stock, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of (i) any meeting at which holders of such Preferred Stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of such Preferred Stock are entitled to notice or (ii) any election on the part of the Company to redeem any shares of such Preferred Stock, the Depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same date as the record date, if any, fixed by the Company with respect to the Preferred Stock) for the determination of the holders of Receipts (a) who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, (b) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or (c) whose Depositary Shares are to be so redeemed.

SECTION 4.05. *<u>Voting Rights</u>.* Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of deposited Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the record holders of Receipts a notice, which shall be provided by the Company and which shall contain (i) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting, (ii) a statement that the holders of Receipts at the close of business on a specified record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of law, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Preferred Stock represented by their respective Depositary Shares and (iii) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of a holder of a Receipt on such record date, the Depositary shall vote or cause to be voted the amount of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request. To the extent any such instructions request the voting of a fractional interest of a share of deposited Preferred Stock, the Depositary shall aggregate such interest with all other fractional interests resulting from requests with the same voting instructions and shall vote the number of whole votes resulting from such aggregation in accordance with the instructions received in such requests. The Company hereby agrees to take all reasonable action that may be reasonably deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to vote such Preferred Stock or cause such Preferred Stock to be voted. In the absence of specific instructions from the holder of a Receipt, the Depositary will abstain from voting to the extent of the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. The Depositary shall not be required or allowed to exercise discretion in voting any Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt.

SECTION 4.06. *<u>Changes Affecting Preferred Stock; Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, etc</u>*. Upon any change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or any other reclassification of Preferred Stock, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation affecting the Company or to which the Company is a party, or upon the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, the Depositary shall, upon the instructions of the Company, (i) make such adjustments in (a) the fraction of an interest represented by one Depositary Share in one share of Preferred Stock and (b) the ratio of the redemption price per Depositary Share to the redemption price of a share of Preferred Stock, in each case as may be required by or as is consistent with the provisions of the Articles of Amendment to fully reflect the effects of such change in liquidation preference, split-up, combination or other reclassification of stock, or of such recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, or of such sale and (ii) treat any shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) that shall be received by the Depositary in exchange for or upon conversion of or in respect of the Preferred Stock as new deposited property under this Deposit Agreement, and Receipts then outstanding shall thenceforth represent the proportionate interests of holders thereof in the new deposited property so received in exchange for or upon

conversion of or in respect of such Preferred Stock. In any such case the Depositary may, in its discretion, with the approval of the Company, execute and deliver additional Receipts, or may call for the surrender of all outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new deposited property. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, holders of Receipts shall have the right from and after the effective date of any such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification of the Preferred Stock, or any such recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or any such sale of substantially all the assets of the Company to surrender such Receipts to the Depositary with instructions to convert, exchange or surrender the Preferred Stock represented thereby only into or for, as the case may be, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property and cash into which the deposited Preferred Stock evidenced by such Receipts might have been converted or for which such Preferred Stock might have been exchanged or surrendered immediately prior to the effective date of such transaction, subject to any subsequent change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification or any subsequent recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale of substantially all the assets. The Company shall cause effective provision to be made in the charter of the resulting or surviving corporation (if other than the Company) for protection of such rights as may be applicable upon exchange of the deposited Preferred Stock for securities or property or cash of the surviving corporation in connection with the transactions set forth above. The Company shall cause any such surviving corporation (if other than the Company) expressly to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder.

SECTION 4.07. *<u>Inspection of Reports</u>*. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by holders of Receipts at the Corporate Office and at such other places as the Depositary may from time to time deem advisable during normal business hours any reports and communications received from the Company that are both received by the Depositary as the holder of the deposited Preferred Stock and made generally available to the holders of the Preferred Stock. In addition, the Depositary shall transmit certain notices and reports to the holders of Receipts as provided in Section 5.05.

SECTION 4.08. *<u>Lists of Receipt Holders</u>*. Promptly upon reasonable request from time to time by the Company, the Depositary shall furnish to the Company a list, as of a recent date specified by the Company, of the names, addresses and holdings of Depositary Shares of all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.

SECTION 4.09. *<u>Withholding</u>*. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property is subject to any tax which the Depositary is obligated by applicable law to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary reasonably deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the holders of Receipts entitled thereto in proportion to the number of Depositary Shares held by them, respectively; provided, however, that in the event the Depositary determines that such distribution of property is subject to withholding tax only with respect to some but not all holders of Receipts, the Depositary will use its best efforts (i) to sell only that portion of such property distributable to such holders that is required to generate sufficient proceeds to pay such withholding tax and (ii) to effect any such sale in such a manner so as to avoid affecting the rights of any other holders of Receipts to receive such distribution in property.

**ARTICLE V<br> THE DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY**

SECTION 5.01. *<u>Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the Registrar</u>*. The Depositary shall maintain at the Corporate Office facilities for the execution and delivery, transfer, surrender and exchange, split-up, combination and redemption of Receipts and the withdrawal of Preferred Stock.

The Depositary shall keep books at the Corporate Office for the registration and transfer of Receipts, which books at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the record holders of Receipts as provided by applicable law. The Depositary may close such books, at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder. The Depositary may maintain such books in customary electronic form.

If the Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby or the Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares shall be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other stock exchange, or quoted on any interdealer quotation system, the Depositary will, at the request and expense of the Company, arrange such facilities for the delivery, transfer, surrender, redemption and exchange of such Receipts, such Depositary Shares or such Preferred Stock as maybe required by applicable law or applicable stock exchange or quotation system regulations.

SECTION 5.02. *<u>Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Company</u>*. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall incur any liability to any holder of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation thereunder of the United States of America or of any other governmental authority or, in the case of the Depositary or the Registrar, by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles of Incorporation or the Articles of Amendment or, by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstance beyond the control of the relevant party, the Depositary, or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing that the terms of this Deposit Agreement provide shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary, the Registrar or the Company incur any liability to any holder of a Receipt by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing that the terms of this Deposit Agreement provide shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03. *<u>Obligations of the Depositary and the Company</u>*. The Depositary shall at all times act in good faith and shall use its best efforts within reasonable time limits to insure the accuracy of all services performed pursuant to this Deposit Agreement. The Company assumes no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipt to holders of Receipts other than from acts or omissions arising out of conduct constituting bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement.

The Company shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding with respect to the deposited Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Receipts that in its reasonable opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required.

The Company shall not be liable for any action or any failure to act by it in reliance upon the advice of legal counsel or accountants, or information provided by any holder of a Receipt or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

In the event the Depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of Receipts, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the Depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from the Company, and shall be entitled to the full indemnification set forth in Section 5.06 hereof in connection with any action so taken.

The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote any of the deposited Preferred Stock or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Depositary. The Depositary undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement, and no implied covenants, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Deposit Agreement against the Depositary.

The Depositary, its parent, affiliate, or subsidiaries, may own, buy, sell or deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts or Depositary Shares or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company or its affiliates may be interested or contract with or lend money to or otherwise act as fully or as freely as if it were not the Depositary hereunder. If so appointed, the Depositary may also act as transfer agent or registrar of any of the securities of the Company and its affiliates, or act in any other capacity for the Company or its affiliates.

It is intended that the Depositary shall not be deemed to be an "issuer" of the securities under the federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws, it being expressly understood and agreed that the Depositary is acting only in a ministerial capacity as Depositary for the deposited Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Depositary agrees to comply with all information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it under law or this Deposit Agreement in its capacity as Depositary.

The Depositary makes no representation and has no responsibility as to the validity of the registration statement pursuant to which the Depositary Shares are registered under the Securities Act, the deposited Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Receipts (except its countersignature thereon) or any instruments referred to therein or herein, or as to the correctness of any statement made therein or herein; provided, however, that the Depositary is responsible for its representations in this Deposit Agreement.

The Company represents that it has registered the deposited Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares for sale in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SECTION 5.04. *<u>Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary</u>*. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by notice of such removal delivered to the Depositary, such removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall, within 60 days after the delivery of the notice of resignation or removal, as the case may be, appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States of America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If a successor depositary shall not have been appointed in 60 days, the resigning Depositary may, at the expense of the Company, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor depositary. Every successor depositary

shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor and for all purposes shall be the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement, and such predecessor, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall promptly execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all rights, title and interest in the deposited Preferred Stock and any moneys or property held hereunder to such successor and shall deliver to such successor a list of the record holders of all outstanding Receipts. Any successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the record holders of Receipts.

Any corporation or other legal entity into or with which the Depositary may be merged, consolidated or converted shall be the successor of such Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act. Such successor depositary may execute the Receipts either in the name of the predecessor depositary or in the name of the successor depositary.

SECTION 5.05. *<u>Notices, Reports and Documents</u>*. The Company agrees that it will deliver to the Depositary, and the Depositary will, promptly after receipt thereof transmit to the record holders of Receipts, in each case at the address recorded in the Depositary's books, copies of all notices and reports (including financial statements) required by law, by the rules of any national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system upon which the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts are listed or quoted or by the Articles of Incorporation and the Articles of Amendment to be furnished by the Company to holders of the deposited Preferred Stock and, if requested by the holder of any Receipt, a copy of this Deposit Agreement, the form of Receipt, the Articles of Amendment and the form of Preferred Stock. Such transmission will be at the Company's expense and the Company will provide the Depositary with such number of copies of such documents as the Depositary may reasonably request. In addition, the Depositary will transmit to the record holders of Receipts at the Company's expense such other documents as may be requested by the Company.

SECTION 5.06. *<u>Indemnification by the Company</u>*. The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary against, and hold it harmless from, any claim, action, suit, penalty, liability, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) of any kind and nature whatsoever that may arise out of, or in connection with, its acting as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts, except for any liability to the extent arising out of the willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith on the part of the Depositary. The obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 5.06 shall survive any succession of any Depositary or termination of this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 5.07. *<u>Damages</u>*. The Depositary shall not be liable for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits (collectively, "Special Damages"), occasioned by breach of any provision of this Deposit Agreement by the Depositary even if apprised of the possibility of such damages. The Company shall not be liable to the Depositary for Special Damages occasioned by breach of any provision of this Deposit Agreement by the Company even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.

SECTION 5.08. *<u>Fees, Charges and Expenses</u>*. No charges and expenses of the Depositary hereunder shall be payable by any person, except as provided in this Section 5.08. The Company shall pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of this Deposit Agreement. The Company shall also pay all fees and expenses of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock and the initial issuance of the Depositary Shares evidenced by the

Receipts, any redemption of the Preferred Stock at the option of the Company and all withdrawals of the Preferred Stock by holders of Receipts. If a holder of Receipts requests the Depositary to perform duties not required under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall notify the holder of the expected cost of the performance of such duties prior to the performance thereof. Upon approval of such cost by such holder, such holder will thereafter be liable for the charges and expenses related to such performance. All other fees and expenses of the Depositary hereunder (including, in each case, fees and expenses of counsel) incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder will be promptly paid by the Company. The Depositary shall present its statement for fees and expenses to the Company every month or at such other intervals as the Company and the Depositary may agree.

SECTION 5.09. *<u>Additional Depositary Rights and Duties</u>*. The Depositary shall:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein. Depositary shall not be liable
for any improper payment made in accordance with the information provided by the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder that might, in its judgment, involve any expense or liability,
unless it has been furnished with reasonable indemnity by the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) be able to rely on and shall be protected in acting on the written or oral instructions with respect to any
matter relating to its actions as Depositary specifically covered by this Deposit Agreement, of any officer of the Company authorized
to give instructions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) be able to rely on and shall be protected in acting upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter,
telegram or any other document or security delivered to it and believed by it reasonably and in good faith to be genuine and to have been
signed by the proper party or parties;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) not be responsible for or liable in any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of any person
executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any document or property under this Deposit Agreement, and shall have no responsibility
with respect to the use or application of any property delivered by it pursuant to the provisions hereof;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) be able to consult with counsel satisfactory to it (including counsel for the Company) and the advice or
opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by
it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with advice or opinion of such counsel;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) not be liable for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection with this Deposit Agreement
except for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver or modification of this Deposit Agreement or any of the
terms hereof, unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Depositary signed by the proper authority or authorities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) have no duty to enforce any obligation of any person to make delivery, or to direct or cause any delivery
to be made, or to enforce any obligation of any person to perform any other act; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) have the right to assume, in the absence of written notice to the contrary from the proper person or persons,
that a fact or an event by reason of which an action would or might be taken by the Depositary does not exist or has not occurred without
incurring liability for any action taken or omitted, or any action suffered by the Depositary to be taken or omitted, in good faith or
in the exercise of the Depositary's best judgment, in reliance upon such assumption.

**ARTICLE VI<br> AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION**

SECTION 6.01. *<u>Amendment</u>*. The form of the Receipts and any provision of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such amendment (other than any change in the fees of the Depositary that are payable by the Company) which (i) shall materially and adversely alter any substantial existing right of the holders of Receipts or (ii) would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the Articles of Amendment shall be effective unless such amendment shall have been approved by the holders of Receipts evidencing at least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. In no event shall any amendment impair the right, subject to the provisions of Section 2.06 and Section 2.07 and Article III, of any holder of any Depositary Shares to surrender the Receipt evidencing such Depositary Shares with instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the holder the whole shares of the deposited Preferred Stock and all money and other property if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Every holder of an outstanding Receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by this Deposit Agreement as amended thereby.

SECTION 6.02. *<u>Termination</u>*. This Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the Depositary, whereupon the Depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of a Receipt, upon surrender of the Receipt held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of deposited Preferred Stock as are represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, together with any other property held by the Depositary in respect of such Receipt. This Deposit Agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares shall have been (a) redeemed pursuant to Section 2.03 and/or (b) surrendered in connection with withdrawal of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.06, or (ii) there shall have been made a final distribution in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of Receipts entitled thereto.

Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, (i) the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Section 5.06 and Section 5.08 and (ii) the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement.

**ARTICLE VII<br> MISCELLANEOUS**

SECTION 7.01. *<u>Counterparts</u>*. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each of the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this

Deposit Agreement by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 7.02. *<u>Exclusive Benefits of Parties</u>*. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever.

SECTION 7.03. *<u>Invalidity of Provisions</u>*. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.

SECTION 7.04. *<u>Notices</u>*. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing, shall be delivered by hand or by First Class mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed given when received and shall be addressed to the Depositary and the Company at the respective addresses listed below or to such other addresses as they shall designate from time to time in writing, forwarded in like manner.

If to the Depositary, to:

If to the Company, to:

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

6 Verdae Boulevard

Greenville, South Carolina 29607

Attention:

Any notices given to any record holder of a Receipt hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by First Class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such record holder at the address of such record holder as it appears on the books of the Depositary or, if such holder shall have filed with the Depositary in a timely manner a written request that notices intended for such holder he mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request.

SECTION 7.05. *<u>Holders of Receipts Are Parties</u>*. The holders of Receipts from time to time shall be deemed to be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance of delivery thereof.

SECTION 7.06. *<u>Governing Law</u>*. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of , without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

SECTION 7.07. *<u>Inspection of Deposit Agreement and Articles of Amendment</u>*. Copies of this Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Amendment shall be filed with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection during business hours at the Corporate Office by any holder of any Receipt.

SECTION 7.08. *<u>Headings</u>*. The headings of articles and sections in this Deposit Agreement and in the form of the Receipt set forth as Exhibit A hereto have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be regarded as a part of this Deposit Agreement or to have any bearing upon the meaning or interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the Receipts.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this Deposit Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf as of the day and year first above set forth and all holders of Receipts shall become parties hereto by and upon acceptance by them of delivery of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | Name: |
|  | Title: |
| , as Depositary | , as Depositary |
| By: |  |
|  | Name: |
|  | Title: |

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**EXHIBIT A**

[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]

DEPOSITARY SHARES

DR __________

DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FOR DEPOSITARY SHARES EACH

REPRESENTING 1/_________ OF ONE SHARE OF

[DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK],

OF

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

CUSIP _____________

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, as Depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that is the registered owner of Depositary Shares ("<u>Depositary Shares</u>"), each Depositary Share representing 1/ of one share of , (the "<u>Stock</u>"), of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. a South Carolina corporation (the "<u>Corporation</u>"), on deposit with the Depositary, subject to the terms and entitled to the benefits of the Deposit Agreement dated as of , 20 (the "<u>Deposit Agreement</u>"), among the Corporation, the Depositary, and the holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts. By accepting this Depositary Receipt, the holder hereof becomes a party to and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement. This Depositary Receipt shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose or entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement unless it shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer or, if executed in facsimile by the Depositary, countersigned by a Registrar in respect of the Depositary Receipts by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer thereof.

This Depositary Receipt is transferable in .

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Dated: , 20 | Dated: , 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, Depositary | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, Depositary |
| By: |  |
|  | Authorized Officer |

---

[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH RECEIPTHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS A COPY OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND A COPY OR SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING THE OF SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. ANY SUCH REQUEST IS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE DEPOSITARY NAMED ON THE FACE OF THIS RECEIPT.

The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Corporation, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Such request may be made to the Corporation.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations when used in the form of ownership on the face of this certificate shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations. Abbreviations in addition to those appearing below may be used.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Abbreviation** | **Equivalent Phrase** | **Abbreviation** | **Equivalent Phrase** |
| JT TEN | As joint tenants, with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common | TEN BY ENT | As tenants by the entirety |
| TEN IN COM | As tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | Uniform Gifts to Minors Act |

---

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Abbreviation** | **Equivalent<br> Word** | **Abbreviation** | **Equivalent<br> Word** | **Abbreviation** | **Equivalent<br> Word** |
| ADM | Administrator(s),<br> Administrator | EX | Executor(s),<br> Executrix | PAR | Paragraph |
| AGMT | Agreement | FBO | For the benefit of | PL | Public Law |
| ART | Article | FDN | Foundation | TR | (As) trustee(s), for, or |
| CH | Chapter | GDN | Guardian(s) | U | Under |
| CUST | Custodian for | GDNSHP | Guardianship | UA | Under agreement |
| DEC | Declaration | MIN | Minor(s) | UW | Under will of, <br> Of will of, Under<br> Last will & testament |

---

For value received, hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE

Depositary Shares represented by the within Receipt, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer the said Depositary Shares on the books of the within named Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: __________________________ <br>NOTICE: The signature to the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Receipt in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED

NOTICE: The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations, and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![](sfst4592841-ex51x1x1.jpg) | <br> **NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH LLP**<br> **ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW** |
|  | **2 W. Washington Street \| Suite 400**<br> **Greenville, SC 29601**<br> **T 864.373.2300 F 864.373.2925**<br> **nelsonmullins.com** |

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February 6, 2026

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

6 Verdae Boulevard

Greenville, South Carolina 29607

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Southern First Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 6, 2026 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). The Registration Statement, including the Prospectus (the "Prospectus") as supplemented by the various Prospectus Supplements ("Prospectus Supplements"), relates to the registration of up to $125,000,000 of certain classes of securities (the "Securities") consisting of:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) senior
 debt securities issued by the Company (the "Senior Debt Securities") consisting of unsecured senior debentures, notes
 and/or other evidences of indebtedness, in one or more series, to be issued from time to time under a form of Indenture filed as
 an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as supplemented or amended, the "Senior Indenture"), proposed to be entered
 between the Company and a trustee (any such trustee, the "Senior Indenture Trustee") to be chosen by the Company and
 qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "TIA");

(b) subordinated
 debt securities issued by the Company (the "Subordinated Debt Securities," and collectively with the Senior Debt Securities,
 the "Debt Securities") consisting of unsecured subordinated debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness,
 in one or more series, to be issued under a form of Subordinated Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as
 supplemented or amended, the "Subordinated Indenture" and together with the Senior Indenture, the "Indentures"),
 proposed to be entered into between the Company and a trustee (any such trustee, the "Subordinated Indenture Trustee")
 chosen by the Company and qualified to act as such under the TIA;

(c) shares
 of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock");

**California \| Colorado \| District Of Columbia \| Florida \| Georgia \| Illinois \| Maryland \| Massachusetts \| Minnesota**

**New York \| North Carolina \| Ohio \| Pennsylvania \| South Carolina \| Tennessee \| Texas \| Virginia \| West Virginia**

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) shares
 of preferred stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"),
 to be issued in one or more series, and fractional shares of Preferred Stock (the "Depositary
 Shares"), which may be evidenced by depositary receipts ("Depositary Receipts")
 to be issued under a form of Deposit Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) purchase
 contracts to be issued in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment
 to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein ("Purchase Contracts")
 obligating holders to purchase from the Company and the Company to sell to holders a fixed
 or varying number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities
 that may be fixed at the time of issuance or may be determined by reference to a specific
 formula set forth in the Purchase Contracts;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) two
 or more Securities described in the Prospectus offered as units ("Units") to
 be issued under a unit agreement (the "Unit Agreement") in a form that will be
 filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated
 by reference therein;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) warrants
 to purchase Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred
 Stock or Depositary Shares, or any combination of these Securities registered under the Registration
 Statement (the "Warrants"), to be issued under a warrant agreement (the "Warrant
 Agreement") in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment
 to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) rights
 offered to shareholders of the Company to purchase additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred
 Stock (the "Rights"), to be issued under a rights agreement (the "Rights
 Agreement") in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment
 to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein.

For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of such opinions. We have examined, among other documents, originals or copies of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) the
 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with the South Carolina Secretary of
 State on July 16, 1999 and the Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles
 of Incorporation filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State on June 25, 2007; February
 24, 2009; May 19, 2023; and May 30, 2024;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) the
 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Form
 10-K filed with the Commission on March 24, 2008, as amended by the Amendment to the Amended
 and Restated Bylaws of the Company as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q
 filed with the Commission on November 2, 2020, as further amended by the Amendment to the
 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
 Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The
 Registration Statement, including the Prospectus;

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The
 form of Senior Indenture filed with the Registration Statement;

(e) The
 form of Subordinated Indenture filed with the Registration Statement; and

(f) The
 form of Deposit Agreement filed with the Registration Statement.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by parties thereto other than the Company. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have not undertaken to independently establish or verify any such factual information, but rather we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. We have also assumed that (1) any applicable indenture and trustee will have been qualified under the TIA, (2) appropriate corporate actions will be taken by the Company to authorize the forms, terms, execution and delivery of any supplemental indentures, the terms of any series of Debt Securities, and any other agreements or instruments pursuant to which any Securities will be issued and any certificates that will evidence any Securities, (3) any required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities or third parties will be obtained in connection with the issuance of any Securities, and (4) the Registration Statement shall have become effective pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act.

Based on the foregoing and subject to such legal considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company, as applicable, and duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture, and (ii) the Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the applicable Indenture against payment of the purchase price therefor, and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, as applicable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) When, as and if (i) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly authorized by the Company, and (ii) the Common Stock has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Common Stock and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and certificates representing such shares of Common Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and, if appropriate, by the Company's transfer agent, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Preferred Stock of a particular series and of its issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) articles of amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the Preferred Stock of such series have

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

been duly filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State, and (iii) the Preferred Stock of such series has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Preferred Stock and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and, if appropriate, by the Company's transfer agent, the Preferred Stock of such series will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) When, as and if (i) the deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (ii) the terms of the Preferred Stock of a particular series and of its issuance and sale, and the issuance and sale of the Depositary Shares of such series, have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, and the related deposit agreement, (iii) the articles of amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the Preferred Stock of such series have been duly filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State, (iv) the Preferred Stock of such series has been duly issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount not less than the par value per share of Preferred Stock and certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law and delivered to the depositary, and (v) the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been executed and countersigned in accordance with the related deposit agreement and issued against deposit of the Preferred Stock and against payment therefor as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the related Prospectus Supplement, and the related deposit agreement, the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the related deposit agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Purchase Contracts and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Purchase Contracts have been duly executed and delivered (including by being countersigned by the applicable Purchase Contract Agent in accordance with the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, if required by the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the applicable Units have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Units have been duly executed and delivered (including by being countersigned by the applicable Unit Agent in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement, if required by the applicable Unit Agreement) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with Company's Articles

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the applicable warrant agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Warrants have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement (including by being countersigned by the applicable Warrant Agent in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement, if required by the applicable Warrant Agreement) and issued and sold against payment of the purchase price therefor and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) When, as and if (i) the terms of the Rights and of their issuance have been duly authorized by the Company and duly established in conformity with Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and applicable law, (ii) the agreements, instruments or certificates creating, affecting or evidencing the Rights have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iii) such Rights have been issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, such Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

The opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law or judicially developed doctrine in this area (such as substantive consolidation or equitable subordination) affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies and (iv) any laws except the South Carolina Business Corporation Act (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the South Carolina Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws) and, to the extent set forth as the governing law in an agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement under which Securities are to be issued as described in this opinion, the laws of the State of New York, in each case, that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement. We advise you that issues addressed by this letter may be governed in whole or in part by other laws, but we express no opinion as to whether any relevant difference exists between the laws upon which our opinions are based and any other laws which may actually govern. The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, but this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect. We disclaim any obligations to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.

For purposes of each of our opinions, appropriate corporate action with respect to any issuance of Securities involving Common Stock or Preferred Stock (including any Purchase Contracts, Units, Rights, Warrants or convertible Debt Securities involving Common Stock or Preferred Stock) would include, without limitation, the requirement that the Company not approve any issuance of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, authorized and properly available for such issuance.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us as counsel for the Company under the caption "Validity of Securities" in the prospectus comprising a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the various states to the issuance of the Securities.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion for events occurring or coming to our attention after the date hereof.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP |
| Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP |

---

## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1**

**Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm**

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. of our reports dated March 3, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in this Prospectus.

/s/ Elliott Davis, LLC

Greenville, South Carolina

February 6, 2026

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

**FORM S-3**

(Form Type)

**SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.**

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

<u>Table 1: Newly Registered Securities and Carry Forward Securities</u>

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Security Type** | **Security<br> Class Title** | **Fee<br> Calculation<br> or Carry<br> Forward<br> Rule** | **Amount<br> Registered<br> (1)** | **Proposed<br> Maximum<br> Offering<br> Price Per<br> Share (2)** | **Maximum<br> Aggregate<br> Offering Price<br> (3)** | **Fee Rate<br> (4)** | **Amount of<br> Registration<br> Fee (5)** |
| Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares | Newly Registered Shares |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Debt | Debt Securities (6) | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Equity | Preferred Stock, $0.01 per share | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Debt | Depositary Shares | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.01 | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Other | Purchase Contracts | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Other | Units | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Equity | Warrants | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Other | Rights | 457(o) |  |  |  |  |  |
| **Fees to Be Paid** | Unallocated (Universal Shelf) | Unallocated (Universal Shelf) | 457(o) | (1) | (2) | $125000000 | 0.00013810 | $17262.50 |
| **Fees Previously Paid** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities | Carry Forward Securities |
| **Carry Forward Securities** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** |  | $125000000 | 0.00013810 | $17262.50 |
|  | **Total Fees Previously Paid** | **Total Fees Previously Paid** | **Total Fees Previously Paid** | **Total Fees Previously Paid** |  |  |  | $0 |
|  | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** |  |  |  | $5510.00 |
|  | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** |  |  |  | $11752.50 |

---

Exhibit 107

(1) An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices. Also includes an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, purchase contracts, depositary shares, rights and units, and such indeterminate principal amount of senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities as may be issued by the registrant upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities that provide for such issuance, or that may from time to time become issuable by reason of any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction, for which no separate consideration will be received by the registrant. In no event will the aggregate offering price of all types of securities issued by the registrant pursuant to this registration statement exceed $125,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or together with other securities registered hereunder. Includes an indeterminate number of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts as may be issued in the event that the registrant elects to offer fractional interests in its preferred stock registered hereby. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no additional registration fee is payable in respect of the registration of the guarantee.

(2) The proposed maximum offering price per unit of security
will be determined by the registrant, from time to time, in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered
hereunder and has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 .

(3) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of
security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered
hereunder and has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933.

(4) Estimated for the sole purpose of computing the registration
fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(5) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act
of 1933.

(6) May consist of one or more series of senior or subordinated
debt.

**Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources**

---

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Registrant or<br> Filer Name** | **Form or<br> Filing<br> Type** | **File<br> Number** | **Initial<br> Filing<br> Date** | **Filing<br> Date** | **Fee<br> Offset<br> Claimed** | **Security<br> Type<br> Associated<br> with Fee<br> Offset<br> Claimed** | **Security<br> Title<br> Associated<br> with Fee<br> Offset<br> Claimed** | **Unsold<br> Securities<br> Associated<br> with Fee<br> Offset<br> Claimed** | **Unsold<br> Aggregate<br> Offering Amount<br> Associated<br> with Fee Offset<br> Claimed** | **Fee Paid<br> with<br> Fee Offset<br> Sources** |
|  |  |  |  |  | **Rule 457(p)** | **Rule 457(p)** |  |  |  |  |  |
| Fee Offset Claims | Southern First Bancshares, Inc. | S-3 | 333-271291 | April 17, 2023 |  | $5510 | Unallocated (Universal) Shelf | (7) | (7) | $50000000 |  |
| Fee Offset Sources | Southern First Bancshares, Inc. | S-3 | 333-271291 |  | April 17, 2023 |  |  |  |  |  | $5510<sup>(7)</sup> |

---

(7) On April 17, 2023, the registrant filed a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-271291) (the "Prior Registration Statement"), which registered an aggregate offering amount of
$50,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights, stock purchase contracts,
stock purchase units and units. No securities have been sold pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement, and the registrant has not
applied the filing fees paid in connection with the Prior Registration Statement to any other securities offering. Accordingly, pursuant
to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is applying $5,510 of the filing fees previously paid in connection with
the Prior Registration Statement to offset the registration fee payable in connection with this filing.